Former Minister and Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno Passes Away at 80
Former Rongo Member of Parliament and long-serving Cabinet Minister, Dalmas Otieno Anyango, has passed away. The veteran politician and businessman died on Sunday at the age of 80.
According to his family, Otieno died at his residence in Kileleshwa, Nairobi. His son, Eddie Otieno, confirmed the news but did not disclose the cause of death, which still remains unclear.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Eliud Owalo, led tributes to the late leader, describing him as one of the most brilliant and composed figures in Kenya’s political and business space. Owalo said Otieno’s death was not just a loss to his family and Rongo constituency but also to the country at large.
“I first knew Dalmas during my university days, and from then, we built a close working relationship that lasted for over 30 years. Most recently, we worked together in planning the Nyanza International Investment Conference,” Owalo recalled.
He went on to praise Otieno’s intellect, business acumen, and vision for development. “Dalmas was an articulate and visionary leader, a shrewd businessman, and a man who cared deeply about socio-economic progress.
He pioneered ventures in the insurance and banking sectors at a time when very few Kenyans were taking that path,” Owalo added.
Otieno’s political journey began in 1988 when he was first elected as the Rongo Member of Parliament. He quickly rose to prominence, serving as the Minister for Industrialisation between 1988 and 1991.
Later in 1991, he took over the Labour and Human Resource Development docket before being moved within the same year to head the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
His influence in Kenyan politics continued into the multiparty era. In 2007, he joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) under Raila Odinga, reclaimed the Rongo parliamentary seat, and was later appointed as Minister of State for Public Service in the Grand Coalition Government formed after the disputed general election.
Otieno retained his Rongo seat in the 2013 general elections. However, his political fortunes shifted in 2017 when he defected from ODM and contested as an independent candidate. He lost the election, marking a turning point in his political career.
Even after leaving elective politics, Otieno remained active in national affairs. In 2018, he was appointed Vice Chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), where he served until 2024, playing a key role in shaping policies on public sector pay and benefits.
Dalmas Otieno will be remembered as a respected politician, a businessman, and a mentor who influenced Kenya’s governance and economic development for decades.
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