Former ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo appears to be on the defensive as criticism continues to trail his removal from government, forcing him to publicly counter claims linking his ouster to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking in an interview on Ramogi FM, Owalo strongly denied assertions that President William Ruto pushed him out for allegedly holding secret talks with Gachagua, dismissing the claims as politically driven and misleading.
His detailed explanation and repeated clarifications reflected growing pressure to explain the circumstances surrounding his exit.
Owalo insisted that he has not met Gachagua since the latter’s impeachment, stating that their last interaction also involving former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi occurred during an official Cabinet meeting when all were still serving in government.
“If I were working with Gachagua, I would do so openly,” Owalo said, stressing that he has never engaged in covert political dealings. He cited his 2019 decision to publicly back President Ruto, despite strong opposition in Nyanza, as evidence of his preference for transparent political choices.
The former CS also pushed back against claims that he is a political project of President Ruto, portraying himself as independent-minded and bold. He argued that it would have been easier to remain aligned with the President from within government than to speak out after leaving office.
Owalo’s remarks come days after he stepped down from his role as Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, a move he said followed consultations and changing political realities, as he eyes a 2027 presidential bid.