Activist Hanifa Adan has expressed her appreciation to Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah for selecting her to serve on the Presidential Exploratory Committee, which will evaluate the viability of his potential presidential candidacy in 2027.
She will serve as the Public Relations and Media Consultant for the committee, where she will oversee public relations efforts and coordinate media engagements.
Taking to her X account on Saturday, November 23, 2024, she shared her excitement about the new role and working with the senator.
“An honour, let’s do it,” she wrote.
Who is Hanifa?
Hanifa Adan, a journalist, was one of the young activists who played an active role during Kenya’s Gen Z anti-government and anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.
Leveraging the M-Changa platform, she led a fundraiser that raised funds that provided financial support for medical bills, permanent injuries, and funeral expenses for victims of police brutality during the demonstrations.
She also faced arrests and harassment due to her activism.
Omtatah’s committee
Senator Omtatah had earlier officially declared his intention to vie for the country’s top job in 2027 via a gazette notice.
According to the Gazette Notice dated Friday, November 22, 2024, he has appointed a 10-member committee tasked with exploring the viability of his presidential bid.
The Presidential Exploratory Committee will outline its mandate to assess electoral prospects and provide strategic recommendations.
Leading the team is Chairperson Mary Kathomi Riungu, supported by Deputy Chairperson Charles Ole Kabailou, who will also coordinate diaspora affairs. Other members include strategists, legal advisors, media consultants, and public relations experts, all working under clearly defined roles to bring to life Omtatah’s presidential ambitions.
I am honoured and humbled to take up the mandate of the Chairlady of the Presidential Exploratory Committee
— Kathomi_MR (@MaryK2022) November 23, 2024
We will deliver, we are servants of the people, for the people @OkiyaOmtatah Thank you for your faith in me@Honeyfarsafi let's do this@CharlesKapaiku and the entire… pic.twitter.com/OK537x11wZ
The committee’s key objectives will revolve around political viability assessments, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, legal compliance, media relations, and fundraising. This comprehensive approach aims to evaluate Omtatah’s popularity, assess the political landscape, and ensure adherence to the country’s electoral laws. The committee will also engage with political stakeholders, including party leaders, grassroots organizations, and civil society, to gauge support and build alliances.
Under the terms of reference outlined in the Gazette Notice, the committee will spearhead public opinion polls and surveys to determine the Senator’s electability and identify critical political trends across national, regional, and demographic lines. They will focus on media relations, managing public inquiries, and developing initial campaign messaging to test the aspirant’s resonance with the electorate.
The committee is charged with assessing Omtatah’s capacity to mobilize resources and ensuring compliance with campaign finance regulations. The legal team will oversee adherence to electoral laws, protecting the campaign from potential legal risks.
