Eliud Owalo Breaks Silence on Sacking Claims Over Secret Gachagua Links
Former Information, Communication and Technology Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has strongly dismissed claims that President William Ruto dismissed him from government over alleged secret dealings with impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking during a radio interview on Ramogi FM, Owalo described the allegations as false, misleading and politically driven, insisting that he has not held any clandestine meetings with Gachagua since the former deputy president’s impeachment.
The former Cabinet Secretary moved to clarify growing speculation that his removal from President Ruto’s administration was linked to claims he had been quietly working with Gachagua behind the scenes.
“I was not dismissed for meeting Gachagua. I have not met him recently,” Owalo stated. “The last time I met Gachagua, together with former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, was during a Cabinet meeting while we were still in government.”
Owalo further maintained that he has never engaged in secret political engagements and stressed that any future political alignment would be made openly and publicly.
“If I ever decide to work with Gachagua or any other leader, I will come out clearly and declare it in the full glare of the public,” he said. “I have always been transparent in my political choices.”
To reinforce his point, Owalo cited his 2019 decision to publicly declare support for President Ruto — a move that at the time attracted widespread backlash, particularly in the Nyanza region where he hails from.
“In 2019, I openly declared my support for William Ruto when it was extremely unpopular to do so in Nyanza,” he said. “I did not do it secretly, and I would not do anything differently now.”
During the interview, Owalo also rejected claims that he is a political project of President Ruto, describing himself as an independent-minded and courageous leader.
“I am not Ruto’s project,” Owalo insisted. “Many people do not know that I am a very brave person. If I were Ruto’s project, I would not have resigned. It is much easier to work with him while in government than when you are outside.”
His remarks come just days after he announced his resignation from the position of Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, following his declaration that he intends to run for the presidency in the 2027 General Election.
“Following my declaration earlier today that I intend to run for the presidency in 2027, my position as Deputy Chief of Staff, Delivery and Government Efficiency, is no longer tenable,” Owalo said in a statement. “I have therefore resigned from the position with immediate effect.”
The former CS added that his decision to step aside was reached after extensive consultations, reflection on lessons learnt, and consideration of emerging operational and political realities.
Owalo’s entry into the 2027 presidential race adds another layer of intrigue to Kenya’s already shifting political landscape, as former allies of President Ruto begin positioning themselves ahead of the next election cycle.
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Eliud Owalo Breaks Silence on Sacking Claims Over Secret Gachagua Links