Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, Eliud Owalo, has resigned from President William Ruto’s administration, paving the way for his bid for Kenya’s presidency in the 2027 general elections.
Owalo announced his resignation in a statement released on Sunday, January 11, 2026, shortly after publicly declaring his intention to contest for the country’s top seat. He said his continued stay in government was no longer tenable following his decision to seek elective 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,” Owalo stated.
Earlier in the day, Owalo formally declared his presidential ambitions while addressing congregants during a church service in Siaya County. He told worshippers that his decision to vie for the presidency was deliberate and informed by extensive consultations, lessons learned from public service, and a careful assessment of the country’s political and governance environment.
“I have today made a deliberate and conscious decision that cometh the year 2027, I will be submitting myself as a candidate for purposes of the presidential race in the election for the presidency of Kenya,” he said.
Owalo noted that he has served under and alongside several senior political leaders, giving his best in each role. However, he said the time had come to shift his focus toward directly serving Kenyans through elective leadership.
In his role at the Office of the President, Owalo oversaw the Government Delivery Unit (GDU) and the Public Service Performance Management Unit (PSPMU). His responsibilities included monitoring the implementation of government programmes and tracking the performance of the Executive to ensure efficiency and accountability.
Before his appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff, Owalo served as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy from 2022 to 2024. During his tenure, he spearheaded key digital transformation initiatives, including the rollout of fibre optic infrastructure and public Wi-Fi hotspots across the country.
He also played a leading role in establishing digital laboratories and ICT hubs under the Jitume and Ajira programmes. By the time he exited the ministry, more than 274 ICT hubs had been operationalised nationwide, with approximately 16,804 digital devices distributed to support skills development and digital inclusion.
Prior to joining the executive arm of government in 2022, Owalo served as head of the Presidential Secretariat for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in 2013, adding to his long record of public service.
Owalo’s declaration has sparked debate, particularly in the Nyanza region where he hails from. Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo dismissed his presidential bid as unrealistic, describing it as “hot air,” a “wild goose chase,” and a “fool’s errand.”
Despite the criticism, Owalo’s resignation and declaration mark his formal entry into Kenya’s 2027 presidential race, setting the stage for what is expected to be an increasingly competitive political landscape as the election approaches.
