By Perez,KarisaJuly 2, 2026
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has ruled out contesting any elective seat in the August 2027 General Election, saying his full attention remains on steering Kenya’s economy rather than engaging in political campaigns.
Speaking during a live television interview on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the former ODM National Chairman dismissed speculation that he could return to elective politics by seeking either the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat or a parliamentary position. Instead, Mbadi said he intends to remain focused on his responsibilities at the National Treasury as the country prepares for the next general election.
The Cabinet Secretary explained that his current assignment requires his undivided attention, particularly as the government implements key fiscal reforms, manages public debt, mobilizes domestic revenue, and pursues economic recovery measures aimed at stabilizing the country’s finances.
Mbadi revealed that his political future is closely tied to the working relationship between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, expressing confidence that if the Kenya Kwanza administration secures a second term in 2027, he could be retained in government in another senior capacity.
He indicated that he is comfortable serving in a technocratic role rather than returning to elective politics, noting that public service can be offered effectively without necessarily holding an elected office.
His remarks are expected to calm months of speculation within political circles, particularly in Homa Bay County, where his name had frequently been mentioned as a potential contender for governor or senator. Mbadi has remained one of the most influential political figures from the region despite accepting a Cabinet position under President Ruto’s broad-based government.
The Treasury CS also acknowledged that his appointment to Cabinet represented a shift from active partisan politics to national executive service, saying his current responsibility is to help stabilize the economy and implement government policy rather than participate in electoral contests.
While ruling himself out of the 2027 race, Mbadi made it clear that he has not abandoned his long-term political ambitions. He reiterated that he still envisions seeking the presidency in the 2032 General Election after building broader national leadership experience and strengthening his public service credentials.
His latest comments suggest that he views the coming years as an opportunity to establish himself as a national economic manager before making a future bid for the country’s highest office.
Mbadi’s announcement comes at a time when political realignments continue to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, with both government and opposition leaders positioning themselves for what is expected to be a highly competitive contest. By ruling out an electoral bid, the Treasury CS has signaled that his immediate priority lies in economic management, while leaving the door open for a return to frontline politics in the longer term.
