The resignation of Eliud Owalo has triggered a political firestorm, but not everyone is impressed. Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, known for her sharp tongue, has dismissed the former Deputy Chief of Staff’s 2027 presidential bid as "hot air" and a "fool's errand."

Speaking in Nairobi, Odhiambo argued that Owalo lacks the ethnic base or the national network required to mount a serious challenge against President Ruto. "You do not wake up one morning, leave a government job, and become President," she scoffed. "Politics is structures, not press releases."

The ODM Calculation

Odhiambo’s dismissal reflects the unease within ODM regarding Owalo. As a Luo technocrat who served Ruto, Owalo is viewed with deep suspicion in Nyanza. Is he a spoiler sent to divide the vote? Or is he a genuine third force?

• The "Party-less" Problem: Millie pointed out that Owalo resigned without announcing a political vehicle. "In Kenya, you need a machine," she said. Running as an independent in a presidential race is historically a path to oblivion.
• The "Project" Tag: Opposition insiders are already branding Owalo as a "State Project" designed to create the illusion of democracy while splitting the anti-Ruto vote. By attacking him early, ODM aims to define him before he can define himself.

The War of Words

Owalo has yet to respond, but the battle lines are drawn. While he pitches himself as the efficiency candidate, the seasoned politicians are preparing to crush him with the brutal mechanics of tribal arithmetic.