OWALO RESIGNS, EYES 2027 PRESIDENCY

Eliud Owalo has resigned from his position as Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency following his declaration that he will contest the presidency in the 2027 General Election.

Owalo announced his resignation on Sunday, January 12, saying his continued stay in government was no longer tenable after publicly declaring his intention to challenge President William Ruto.

“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 said in a statement shared on social media.

In his role at the Office of the President, Owalo was responsible for coordinating government delivery and tracking the implementation of programmes across ministries, departments and agencies, a position central to President Ruto’s governance agenda.

Earlier in the day, Owalo formally announced his presidential bid during the 106th commemoration of the death of his grandfather, Prophet Johanna Owalo, the founder of the Nomiya Church. The event was held at the church’s headquarters in Oboch, Kisumu County.

“Come 2027, I will submit myself as a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic of Kenya,” Owalo told congregants, describing himself as a performer, results-oriented leader and risk-taker.

He used the platform to outline a development-focused agenda for the Nyanza region and the country at large, urging residents to embrace what he termed “a politics of action rather than rhetoric.”

Among his proposals were the expansion of water infrastructure projects such as the Koru–Soin dams to address flooding, support power generation, improve water access and enhance food security. He also called for the completion of the Lake Victoria Ring Road to improve regional and cross-border trade with Uganda and Tanzania.

Owalo further proposed the upgrading of Kisumu International Airport to handle cargo exports, arguing that the region should directly export fish, agricultural produce and manufactured goods to international markets.

The former ICT Cabinet Secretary also advocated for value addition through the establishment of processing factories for fish, livestock products, hides and skins, potatoes, avocado, tea, coffee and soapstone. He called for the revival of the sugar, rice and cotton industries and reforms in the mining sector to ensure host communities benefit from natural resources.

On governance, Owalo pushed for genuine multi-party democracy in Nyanza, noting that the 2010 Constitution guarantees political pluralism and competitive leadership.

His resignation makes him one of the earliest aspirants from within the Executive to publicly declare interest in the presidency ahead of 2027.

Owalo’s announcement has, however, drawn criticism from some political figures. Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai dismissed his presidential bid as unrealistic, claiming Owalo lacks the legitimacy to position himself as a key political figure in the Luo community.

Alai predicted that Owalo’s ambitions would face resistance from both political institutions and the public, including Gor Mahia Football Club, where Owalo serves as patron.

Owalo has previously worked with several political heavyweights, including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and President William Ruto. He has contested in past elections and held senior government positions, including Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy.

Following the Gen Z-led protests of June 2024 that triggered a major Cabinet overhaul, Owalo was removed from his CS position before later being appointed Deputy Chief of Staff.

With his resignation now official, Owalo transitions fully from government service into active presidential politics as the 2027 race begins to take shape.