Former ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has resigned from his role as Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, days after publicly declaring his intention to contest the presidency in the 2027 General Election.
Owalo confirmed his resignation in a statement released on Sunday, January 11, explaining that his continued stay in the President William Ruto administration had become untenable following his decision to seek the country’s top seat.
“After declaring my intention to vie for the presidency in 2027, it became clear that my position in the Office of the President could no longer be sustained. I have therefore stepped aside with immediate effect,” he stated.
Earlier in the day, Owalo formally announced his presidential ambition while speaking during a church service in Siaya County, where he told congregants that he had made a conscious decision to offer himself for national leadership.
He said the decision was informed by extensive consultations, personal reflection, lessons drawn from public service, and what he described as emerging national challenges requiring decisive leadership.
Owalo noted that he has served Kenya in various senior capacities, working under and alongside top political leaders, and now believes the time has come to directly seek the people’s mandate to lead the country.
As Deputy Chief of Staff, Owalo oversaw critical units within the Office of the President, including the Government Delivery Unit (GDU) and the Public Service Performance Management Unit (PSPMU).
His responsibilities included monitoring the implementation of government projects and evaluating the performance of the Executive.
Before joining the President’s office, Owalo served as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy between 2022 and 2024.
During that period, he championed the expansion of fibre optic infrastructure, rollout of public Wi-Fi, and the establishment of digital innovation hubs under the Jitume and Ajira programmes.
By the time he exited the ICT ministry, more than 270 digital hubs had been operationalised nationwide, alongside the distribution of thousands of digital devices aimed at empowering youth and enhancing digital inclusion.
Owalo previously held a senior political role as head of the Presidential Secretariat during former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s tenure.
His announcement has since stirred debate, particularly in Nyanza, his political backyard. Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has dismissed the presidential bid as unrealistic, branding it “hot air,” a “wild goose chase,” and a “fool’s errand.”
As the 2027 race begins to take shape, Owalo’s move signals the early formation of new political alignments and sets the stage for intensified competition both nationally and within his home region.
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