The race for 2027 has officially begun, and the first shot has been fired from inside the house. Eliud Owalo, President William Ruto’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency, tendered his resignation late last night, declaring his intention to unseat his boss in the next General Election.

In a move that has caught State House strategists off guard, Owalo stated that his position had become "untenable" following his decision to run. "I have served with diligence, but the time has come to offer Kenyans a new path," he said in a brief press statement. His resignation makes him the first high-ranking insider to defect, signaling potentially deep fissures within the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The "Nyanza Strategy" Collapses?

Owalo was the linchpin of President Ruto’s strategy to penetrate the Nyanza region, historically an ODM stronghold. As the former ICT Cabinet Secretary, he oversaw massive digitization projects in the region. His exit leaves a vacuum that the UDA party will struggle to fill.

• The "Betrayal" Narrative: Allies of the President have already branded Owalo a "project" of foreign powers or the opposition. "You cannot eat at the King's table and plot to overthrow him," remarked a UDA MP from Rift Valley.
• The Platform: Owalo is expected to run on a platform of "Technocratic Leadership," positioning himself as a manager rather than a politician. He hinted at a manifesto focused on digital economy expansion and efficient service delivery—ironically, the very portfolio he just left.
• The Timing: Coming just weeks after the ODM-government "Broad-Based" deal solidified, Owalo’s move suggests he sees space for a "Third Force" outside the Ruto-Raila axis.

A Gamble or a Masterstroke?

Critics dismiss Owalo as a lightweight without a tribal base. However, his departure allows him to distance himself from the government's unpopular tax policies while claiming credit for its successes. As the political season heats up early, all eyes are on who else might jump ship from the "Hustler" express.