The sudden resignation of Ruto’s key official has stirred political debate ahead of the 2027 polls.
Eliud Owalo stepped down just hours after announcing his intention to vie for the presidency.
In a brief statement, Ruto’s Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency said his position had become untenable following the declaration and that he had resigned immediately.
Until his exit, Owalo served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, having previously held the ICT docket as Cabinet Secretary.
“Come 2027, I will submit myself as a candidate for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya,” Owalo said, describing himself as a results-oriented performer and risk-taker ready for the country’s top job.
MIXED REACTIONS
His resignation has drawn mixed reactions from politicians and the public, with some interpreting the move as part of a broader political strategy by President Ruto to manage shifting alliances, particularly in restive regions.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo dismissed Owalo’s bid as unrealistic unless anchored within a major political formation. She argued that without such backing, his presidential ambitions would lack viability and could reduce him to a regional power broker within a minor party, particularly in Nyanza where the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) remains dominant. Odhiambo suggested the declaration could be strategic, potentially positioning Owalo for other elective roles.
Owalo made his announcement on Sunday during the 106th commemoration of the death of his grandfather, Prophet Johanna Owalo, founder of the Nomiya Church, at the church’s headquarters in Oboch, Kisumu County.
POLITICAL ACTIVITY
KANU Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Tony Gachoka claimed Owalo’s presidential bid would be fully financed by President Ruto, arguing that the move signals intensified political activity in Nyanza ahead of 2027. On social media, some users echoed similar sentiments, portraying Owalo as a political diversion meant to fracture opposition support in the region.
Others pointed to a broader pattern of resignations and political repositioning within government ranks, suggesting the emergence of multiple candidates who could later realign through pre- or post-election coalitions.
Owalo, who has previously worked closely with Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, and now President Ruto, said he is shifting from backing individual leaders to pursuing a development-driven agenda for Kenyans.
INTERNAL TENSION
He urged Nyanza residents to embrace what he termed “a politics of action,” outlining plans to expand water infrastructure, complete the Lake Victoria Ring Road, upgrade Kisumu International Airport for cargo exports, revive key agricultural sectors, and promote value addition through local processing industries.
His move is expected to recalibrate political calculations in Nyanza amid internal ODM tensions and an evolving national political landscape.
