Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, Eliud Owalo, has resigned from his position in the Office of the President, citing his decision to run for president in the 2027 General Elections.
Owalo announced his resignation on Sunday evening, January 11, just hours after publicly declaring his intention to vie for the country’s top seat.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms, he said his continued stay in government was no longer tenable following his presidential declaration.
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“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.
Owalo has been serving as Deputy Chief of Staff responsible for delivery and government efficiency, a critical role that involved coordinating, monitoring, and driving the implementation of government programmes across ministries, departments, and agencies.
His exit from office officially clears the path for his 2027 presidential bid, making him one of the earliest figures from within the Executive to openly declare ambitions for the presidency.
The former Cabinet-level official unveiled his bid earlier on Sunday during the 106th anniversary commemorating 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 said, describing himself as a results-driven leader, a performer, and a calculated risk-taker.
Owalo’s announcement marks a significant political shift for a figure who has previously worked closely with key political leaders, including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Musalia Mudavadi, before later serving in President William Ruto’s administration.
He framed his decision as a move away from personality-driven politics toward a focus on delivering tangible development outcomes for Kenyans.
While Owalo is yet to disclose the political party, coalition, or platform he will use for his presidential bid, his resignation signals a decisive transition from technocratic public service into full-time national politics.
Historically, few Kenyan government officials have resigned immediately after declaring a presidential bid, making Owalo’s move a rare occurrence in the country’s political history.
Most aspirants have typically stepped down much closer to election timelines. Past examples include leaders such as the late Mwai Kibaki and Martha Karua, who resigned nearer to election periods.
Owalo now joins a small group of senior officials who have voluntarily exited government to pursue the presidency, with his resignation coming nearly 18 months before the 2027 General Election, a timeline that underscores the rarity and significance of his decision.