Millie Odhiambo, the Member of Parliament for Suba North, has expressed skepticism regarding Eliud Owalo’s presidential ambitions for 2027.
On her official Facebook page on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Odhiambo referred to Owalo’s bid as insubstantial and a misguided pursuit.
She suggested that if Owalo, who has recently stepped down from his role as Deputy Chief of Staff to President William Ruto, does not run under the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, he might lead a smaller party that would oppose the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The outspoken lawmaker also interpreted Owalo’s presidential announcement as a potential stepping stone for a gubernatorial position in Siaya County or a parliamentary seat in the Rarieda constituency.
“Former CS Eliud Owalo has declared his intention to run for president. My assessment is: 1. If he does not run in UDA, he risks becoming a leader of a smaller party that would then compete against ODM. 2. This may serve as a launching pad for a gubernatorial position in Siaya or an MP seat in Rarieda. 3. His presidential bid seems insubstantial, a misguided pursuit outside of points 1 and 2,” Millie Odhiambo wrote on Facebook.
Eliud Owalo has announced his intention to run for the presidency in 2027.
He made this declaration on Sunday, January 11, 2026, during the 106th anniversary celebration of his grandfather, Prophet Johanna Owalo, the founder of the Nomiya Church, in Oboch, Rarieda constituency.
Owalo emphasized that his previous political experiences have inspired him to carve his own path, asserting that he will submit his candidacy for the presidency of Kenya in 2027.
Reflecting on his political journey, Owalo highlighted his role as Raila Odinga’s chief campaign manager in 2013, his subsequent collaboration with Musalia Mudavadi at ANC, and his current involvement with President William Ruto since 2019. He considers these experiences as valuable lessons that have equipped him for a significant leadership role.
“Come 2027, I aim to shift the paradigm. I will no longer work solely for political figures; my focus will be on serving the Kenyan people. Informed by the lessons I have learned, current issues in the operational environment, and feedback from various stakeholder forums, including those held with Nomiya Church, I have made a conscious decision to submit my candidacy for the presidential race in 2027,” Owalo stated.
Shortly after, Owalo resigned from his position as Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency.
In a statement on his Facebook account on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Owalo indicated that his role in the government was no longer viable following his decision to challenge President William Ruto in the upcoming elections.
“Following my announcement today regarding my intention to run for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya in 2027, my position as Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency is no longer tenable,” Owalo stated.
He confirmed that he has stepped down from the role with immediate effect.
