Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has dismissed former Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo’s declaration that he intends to run for President, describing the bid as unrealistic and politically misplaced.
In a statement, Odhiambo argued that Owalo’s presidential ambitions lack substance unless they are anchored within a major political formation.
She maintained that outside such a framework, the bid would not be viable.
“Former CS Eliud Owalo has declared he is vying as President,” Odhiambo said, before outlining what she termed as the only plausible political paths available to him.
According to the legislator, should Owalo choose not to seek the presidency through the ruling United Democratic Alliance, he risks positioning himself merely as a regional power broker within a minor political party.
In such a scenario, she said, that outfit would inevitably find itself competing directly against the Orange Democratic Movement, particularly in the Nyanza region where ODM enjoys significant support.
Odhiambo further suggested that Owalo’s presidential pronouncement could be strategic rather than literal, potentially serving as a springboard for other elective offices.
She pointed to the possibility that the former CS could ultimately settle for a gubernatorial race in Siaya County or mount a bid for the Rarieda parliamentary seat.
“Maybe a launching pad for the gubernatorial position in Siaya or MP Rarieda,” she remarked.
The outspoken MP rejected the seriousness of Owalo’s presidential quest if pursued outside those alternative pathways.
“Presidential bid is hot air, wild goose chase and fools errand,” Odhiambo said, adding that such an attempt would make little political sense beyond the options she had outlined.
Owalo, who previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, made the declaration on Sunday, during the 106th commemoration of the death of his grandfather, Prophet Johanna Owalo, the founder of Nomiya Church, held at the church’s headquarters in Oboch, Kisumu County.
He also resigned from his current position, Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, with immediate effect.
Owalo insisted that his continued stay in government was no longer viable after announcing his presidential ambitions.
“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,” he said.
“I have therefore resigned from the position with immediate effect.”
Owalo has been serving as Deputy Chief of Staff overseeing delivery and government efficiency, a role central to coordinating and tracking the implementation of government programmes across ministries, departments and agencies.
His resignation formally clears the way for his entry into the 2027 presidential race, making him one of the earliest aspirants to publicly declare interest in the country’s top seat from within the Executive.
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