Deputy Chief of Staff Resigns from State House, Sets Sights on Presidency
Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, Eliud Owalo, has officially resigned from President William Ruto’s administration after declaring his intention to run for president in the 2027 General Election.
Owalo announced his resignation through a statement shared on his social media pages on Sunday, January 11. In the statement, he explained that his continued stay in government was no longer appropriate after publicly expressing his ambition to vie for the country’s top leadership position.
“Following my declaration earlier today that I intend to run for the Presidency of the Republic of Kenya in the year 2027, my position as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Delivery and Government Efficiency is no longer tenable. I have therefore resigned from the position with immediate effect,” Owalo stated.
Earlier the same day, Owalo had publicly revealed his presidential ambitions while attending a church service in Siaya County. Addressing congregants, the former Cabinet Secretary said he had made a firm and well-thought-out decision to contest for the presidency in the next general election.
“I have today made a deliberate and conscious decision that come the year 2027, I will submit myself as a candidate for the presidential race in Kenya,” he announced.
Owalo noted that his decision was not rushed. He said it followed extensive consultations with various stakeholders, feedback from the public, lessons learned from his past leadership roles, and a careful assessment of the country’s current political and economic environment.
According to him, these factors convinced him that the time was right to pursue direct national leadership.
He added that he has served under and alongside several senior political leaders over the years, giving his best in every position he held.
However, he believes the moment has now come for him to seek a direct mandate from Kenyans to serve them at the highest level of leadership.
In his role at the Office of the President, Owalo oversaw the Government Delivery Unit (GDU) and the Public Service Performance Management Unit (PSPMU).
His responsibilities included ensuring that government programs were implemented effectively and monitoring the performance of the Executive to improve service delivery across ministries and agencies.
Before his appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff, Owalo served as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy from 2022 to 2024. During his tenure, he played a key role in advancing Kenya’s digital transformation agenda.
Some of the major initiatives under his leadership included the expansion of fiber optic infrastructure, the rollout of public Wi-Fi hotspots, and the establishment of digital laboratories and ICT hubs.
He also spearheaded youth-focused digital programs such as “Jitume” and “Ajira,” aimed at improving digital skills and employment opportunities.
By the time he left the ministry, more than 274 digital hubs had been operationalized across the country, with about 16,804 digital devices distributed to support learning and innovation in these centers.
Prior to joining the executive arm of government in 2022, Owalo had served in other high-profile roles. Notably, he was the head of the Presidential Secretariat for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in 2013, a position that placed him at the center of national political operations at the time.
Owalo’s declaration to run for president has sparked mixed reactions, particularly in the Nyanza region, where he comes from.
While some residents and leaders are still weighing his decision, others have openly questioned the viability of his presidential bid.
Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo was among those who dismissed Owalo’s announcement.
She described his presidential ambition as unrealistic, referring to it as “hot air,” a “wild goose chase,” and a “fool’s errand,” remarks that have further fueled debate around his political future.
As the 2027 election season slowly takes shape, Owalo’s resignation and declaration signal the early beginnings of what is expected to be an increasingly competitive and dynamic presidential race.
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