• As Cabinet Secretary for ICT & Digital Economy, he became the face of Kenya’s digital transformation—rolling out hotspots across all 47 counties, digitizing thousands of services, and positioning himself as the technocrat who turned connectivity into a national agenda. Now, he wants to be the next President of Kenya.

Remember when the government promised to connect the country with free public Wi-Fi? That bold digital dream found new life under Eliud Owalo.

As Cabinet Secretary for ICT & Digital Economy, he became the face of Kenya’s digital transformation—rolling out hotspots across all 47 counties, digitizing thousands of services, and positioning himself as the technocrat who turned connectivity into a national agenda. Now, he wants to be the next President of Kenya.

On Sunday, January 11, 2026, former Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo declared his next ambition.

“Come 2027, I will submit myself as a candidate for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya,” he announced, anchoring his bid on a track record he described as “a performer, a results-oriented person and a risk-taker.”

Hours later, Owalo resigned from his powerful State House role. On X, he wrote: “Following my declaration earlier today that I intend to run for 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.”

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His announcement stirred mixed reactions across the country. Some Kenyans hailed the move as bold and symbolic, while others dismissed it as unrealistic—more a strategy for local positioning than a serious national campaign.

Who is Eliud Owalo?

Owalo is a Kenyan economist, management consultant, and politician. He served as Cabinet Secretary for ICT & Digital Economy before being reassigned to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff in President William Ruto’s administration. His January 2026 resignation cleared the way for his presidential bid, positioning him as both a Luo political leader and a national contender.

He first entered government in 2022 when President Ruto appointed him Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and Digital Economy. Before that, he built a career in consultancy and political strategy but had never held public office.

As Cabinet Secretary, Owalo oversaw Kenya’s digital transformation agenda—rolling out public Wi-Fi hotspots, digital identity systems, and ICT hubs. His appointment marked a shift from boardroom consultancy to executive leadership.

In 2024, he became Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency. From State House, he coordinated government programmes, tracked implementation across ministries, and pushed for efficiency in service delivery. The role elevated his influence, making him a central figure in Ruto’s administration.

Key Achievements

As Cabinet Secretary for ICT & Digital Economy (2022–2024)

1. Digitization of Services: Owalo oversaw the digitization of 17,668 government services in just 18 months, far surpassing the five‑year target of 5,000. These included business registration, land records, and licensing.

2. Digital Hubs & Jobs: Furthermore, he established 274 digital hubs nationwide and created 152,711 digital jobs, giving young people new opportunities in the online economy.

3. Public Wi-Fi Expansion: Rolled out 1,360 Wi-Fi hotspots across all 47 counties, connecting schools, markets, and public spaces.

4. Anti-Corruption Recognition: Under his watch, the Ministry of ICT & Digital Economy was ranked by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) as the least corrupt ministry.

As Deputy Chief of Staff (2024–2026)

1. Government Efficiency Oversight: Owalo Coordinated delivery of programmes across ministries and tracked key projects to ensure accountability.

2. Inter-Agency Coordination: Improved collaboration between ministries and agencies, reducing duplication and accelerating project delivery.

Owalo’s leap from technocrat to presidential aspirant marks a dramatic turn in Kenya’s political landscape. His achievements in digitization and efficiency give him a reformist’s profile, but skepticism lingers over whether he can translate technocratic success into broad political support.

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