By Our Political Desk
SIAYA, Monday
Eliud Owalo, the former Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency, officially unveiled his 2027 presidential campaign poster in his Siaya County backyard this past weekend, a move immediately overshadowed by a torrent of skepticism on social media and in political circles.
The unveiling followed Owalo’s dramatic resignation from President William Ruto’s administration on Sunday, where he declared the role “no longer tenable” after making his presidential ambitions public. Framing his bid as the culmination of “extensive consultations” and a personal political journey, Owalo presented himself as a candidate ready to offer national leadership.
However, the narrative taking hold online tells a starkly different story. Across platform X (formerly Twitter), a chorus of voices has dismissed Owalo’s candidacy as a strategic project orchestrated from State House, designed to fracture the Luo vote in Nyanza.
The skepticism is deeply rooted in recent political shifts. Once President Ruto’s sole and prominent point man in Nyanza during the 2022 elections, Owalo’s unique position is seen to have been dramatically eclipsed by Ruto’s broad-based government deal with opposition leader Raila Odinga. With Ruto now enjoying direct inroads into Raila’s traditional base, analysts and citizens alike question the authenticity and timing of Owalo’s sudden independent run.
“A Ruto project to divide Luos votes just like Moses Kuria to divide Kikuyus votes,” posted user @claratorome, a sentiment that was widely echoed. User @emma_0001 called Owalo “Another version of Moses Kuria is being sponsored to confuse Luos,” drawing a direct parallel to politicians perceived as having played similar divisive roles in other regions.
Many users speculated about a pre-written political script. “This is a plan that is well orchestrated so that in the long run you surrender and join the president’s team. Tactics,” commented @edgarhammala. Others offered mockery mixed with caution, like @kogwilo_254 who advised, “Relax Mzee, this is 21st century we know these games.”
The underlying theme is one of profound distrust. User @murithi_ramirez summarized a prevailing view: “William Ruto will do everything possible to divide the Luo votes …either way, he will be a WANTAM President.”
Political observers note that this instant public verdict highlights the formidable first hurdle Owalo must clear. His candidacy is inextricably linked to his recent service to President Ruto, casting a long shadow over his claims of independent ambition. Critics argue that having been sidelined by the Ruto-Raila pact, Owalo may now be a pawn in a larger scheme to further fragment the opposition stronghold ahead of 2027.
As the election cycle unofficially begins, the unveiling of Eliud Owalo’s campaign poster marks not just the start of a bid for State House, but the opening of a fierce battle for credibility. His initial task is no longer simply to sell his policies, but to convince a deeply skeptical electorate that his presidential run is a genuine personal project, and not a tactical political assignment.
