Former Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has stated that he is open to collaborating with political leaders such as Kalonzo Musyoka and Fred Matiang’i, but only under specific conditions that prioritise the interests of ordinary citizens.
In a media interview on Sunday, February 1, Owalo said that political partnerships must focus on delivering tangible benefits to the public rather than serving the convenience of political elites.
Owalo emphasised that his approach to political collaboration would be guided by national interest.
“I do not have a problem working with Kalonzo Musyoka so long as we are pursuing the agenda of serving the interests of the common man,” he said, adding that his focus would also include reforming what he described as a punitive taxation system.
He revealed plans to reduce income tax from 35 per cent to 20 per cent, cut VAT from 16 per cent to 10 per cent, and eliminate the digital tax to ease the cost of living for Kenyans.
Owalo Rejects Convenience Politics
The former CS said he would not participate in alliances formed purely for electoral convenience or ethnic calculations.
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“I will not be part of an arrangement where politicians come together for purposes of convenience, putting together ethnic enclaves for purposes of winning elections and sharing power,” Owalo said, citing his departure from government as a decision influenced by discomfort with concentrated political power.
He noted that his concerns began when he joined President Ruto in 2019, observing what he described as a situation where a few families were deciding the country’s destiny.
Owalo criticised the constant negotiations among top political figures, including Ruto’s reported outreach to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Gideon Moi, and Oburu Odinga.
He described these actions as undermining national priorities and emphasised the need for citizen-focused governance.
Track Record and Leadership Style
Additionally, Owalo highlighted his personal approach to leadership and governance.
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“I am very courageous, very decisive. Once I make a decision, I go full hog. I am somebody who is a risk taker, I take time, and I consult widely before I arrive at decisions, but when I do, I do so without fear,” he said.
He pointed to his achievements as CS for ICT and Deputy Chief of Staff, where he introduced reforms in performance management and delivery.
“I found a performance management framework that was dead, I re-engineered it, brought back to life performance appraisals and performance contracting. My track record speaks for itself. I am a performer, I am a results-oriented person and a go-getter,” Owalo said.
He said that his record demonstrates the type of accountability and delivery he expects in any political collaboration.
Owalo resigned from President William Ruto’s government on January 11, 2026, to focus on his presidential campaign.
“Following my declaration earlier today that I intend to run for the 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,” said Owalo.
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