Former ICT Cabinet Secretary and People Prosperity Party leader Eliud Owalo speaking on Citizen TV on Thursday, August 19, 2026. /SCREENGRAB
Former Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has declared that he has moved beyond working as a political strategist for individual leaders, saying his focus is now on developing ideas and strategies that serve Kenyans as a whole.
Owalo, who has previously worked with several major political formations and presidential candidates, said his long experience in the country’s political arena had prepared him for a broader national role.
He said the time had come for him to stop being viewed as a strategist for individual politicians and instead dedicate his expertise to advancing the interests of ordinary Kenyans.
“No longer advising individual presidential candidates. I’ve moved beyond working for individuals. My focus now is on developing strategies that serve all Kenyans,” Owalo said.
“The time for a broader national vision is now.”
Owalo has built a reputation as one of Kenya’s prominent political strategists, having worked across different political camps over the years.
He recalled his role in the 2013 presidential election campaign of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga before later having a stint in Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress.
Owalo subsequently joined President William Ruto’s political camp and became part of the Kenya Kwanza administration, serving in the Cabinet before being appointed Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of delivery and government efficiency in the executive office of the President.
“Times are gone when I used to work for other politicians. It's now my time to work for Kenyans,” he said.
“You know people are used to an Owalo who works for other presidential candidates. I was the head of the Raila Odinga presidential campaign in 2013. I had a stint in ANC. I worked with Musalia, then I worked with Ruto.”
The former CS said his involvement in the different political formations had largely revolved around strategy and shaping political direction.
“In all these political initiatives, I've been a strategist and a key cog around those political formations,” he said.
Owalo said this history had created a public perception of him as a man whose primary role was to advise politicians seeking power.
“So people are used to an Owalo who advises others, who is a strategist to others. But now I want to be a strategist to Kenyans,” he said.
“I've outgrown working for individuals, and the time could not be better.”
Owalo has already declared his presidential bid in the 2027 general election.
He says his experience working alongside some of Kenya’s current presidential hopefuls gives him a unique vantage point.
He argues that occupying positions of responsibility has taught him the difference between seeking power and knowing how to use it.
“Having worked with some of Kenya’s current presidential hopefuls, I know the difference between political ambition and transformative leadership,” Owalo said.
The former CS said Kenya needed strategies that responded directly to the concerns of citizens and addressed broader national challenges.
