Former Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency Eliud Owalo has resigned from government, hours after announcing his intbention to run for the presidency in the 2027 General Election.
Owalo tendered his resignation on Sunday, January 11, 2026, saying it would be inappropriate to continue serving in the Executive after declaring presidential ambitions. He confirmed that the resignation took effect immediately.
At the time of his exit, Owalo was serving at the Office of the President under William Ruto, where he was responsible for overseeing government delivery, monitoring the performance of ministries, departments and agencies, and tracking the implementation of key Kenya Kwanza programmes. Before this role, he served as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, where he was associated with digital transformation and e-government initiatives.
Politically, Owalo was among the most senior leaders from the Luo community to work closely with the Ruto administration, despite the region largely aligning with the opposition. His presence in government had been viewed as part of Kenya Kwanza’s efforts to broaden its political reach beyond its traditional support bases.
From an administrative standpoint, his resignation is not expected to disrupt government operations, as his role can be filled internally. However, the move carries political weight. Owalo becomes one of the earliest senior government figures to step aside explicitly due to the 2027 succession race, a development that signals the start of early political realignments within the ruling administration.
His exit also slightly weakens the government’s political footprint in Luo Nyanza, where he had acted as a key link between the Executive and the region. Within the Luo community, reactions have been mixed. Some view his decision as opening space for alternative leadership and political pluralism, while others believe his presidential bid is unlikely to significantly alter long-standing political loyalties in the short term.
Owalo’s entry into the 2027 race positions him as an early outsider contender, expected to campaign on governance, economic reform and institutional efficiency. Whether he can convert his technocratic background into broad national political support remains uncertain.
Overall, Owalo’s resignation is seen as more symbolic than disruptive, marking an early chapter in the 2027 succession politics while reshaping both the government’s outreach strategy and political conversations within the Luo community.
