Eliud Owalo is not just walking away from government; he is building a war chest. Fresh from his resignation as Deputy Chief of Staff, the former ICT Cabinet Secretary is reportedly in advanced stages of registering a new political party—a vehicle he intends to use to disrupt the Ruto-Raila duopoly in 2027.

Insiders claim Owalo’s strategy is to capture the "disenfranchised middle class" and the Nyanza professionals who feel alienated by ODM’s radicalism but betrayed by UDA’s economic policies. Analysts are calling it the "UDA Tower of Babel" moment—a sign that the ruling coalition is struggling to keep its diverse house together.

The "Technocrat's Party"

Unlike traditional tribal outfits, Owalo’s proposed party will reportedly run on a platform of "Digital Democracy and Efficiency." He aims to leverage his track record of digitizing government services to appeal to Gen Z voters who prioritize delivery over ethnicity.

• The Nyanza Equation: By launching his own vehicle, Owalo avoids the trap of joining a coalition where he would be a junior partner. He is betting that Nyanza is ready for a post-Odinga leadership that focuses on economics rather than grievance.
• The Funding Question: Sources suggest Owalo has the backing of quiet donors in the corporate sector who are tired of the current political instability. "He is the safe pair of hands the private sector has been waiting for," said a political risk analyst.

A Warning to Ruto

The formation of a splinter party by a former insider is President Ruto’s worst nightmare. It suggests that the center cannot hold. If Owalo succeeds in peeling away even 5% of the urban vote, he could force a runoff in 2027. The technocrat has become the politician.