Eliud Owalo has resigned as Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, stepping down from President William Ruto’s administration to pursue a presidential bid in the 2027 General Election.
Owalo announced his resignation in a statement released on Sunday, January 11, shortly after publicly declaring his intention to run for the country’s top office.
“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,” he said.
The former Cabinet Secretary made his presidential declaration while attending a church service in Siaya County, saying the decision followed extensive consultations, lessons drawn from past public service, and an assessment of the country’s current political and operational environment.
Owalo said he had served under and alongside several senior political leaders, giving his best in those roles, but now believes the time has come to seek a direct mandate from Kenyans.
As Deputy Chief of Staff, Owalo oversaw the Government Delivery Unit (GDU) and the Public Service Performance Management Unit (PSPMU), playing a central role in tracking the implementation and performance of government programmes across ministries and agencies.
Before joining the Office of the President, he served as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy between 2022 and 2024. During his tenure, he championed key digital transformation initiatives, including the rollout of fibre optic infrastructure, public Wi-Fi hotspots, and the establishment of ICT hubs under the Ajira and Jitume programmes. By the time he left the ministry, more than 274 digital hubs had been operationalised, with over 16,800 digital devices distributed nationwide.
Owalo has also previously served as head of the Presidential Secretariat under former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in 2013.
His decision to enter the 2027 presidential race has sparked debate, particularly in the Nyanza region. Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo dismissed the bid as unrealistic, describing it as “hot air” and a “fool’s errand.”
Despite the criticism, Owalo’s resignation marks the clearest indication yet of his intention to position himself as a contender in Kenya’s next presidential contest.
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