In his statement after resignation, Mr Owalo, said his reason for resigning was to prepare to run for the presidency in 2027.
He joins former Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Moses Kuria and politician Peter Mbae, who resigned abruptly last year.
Speaking on Sunday when he resigned, Mr Owalo said he would tour various regions to mount an aggressive campaign to seek national leadership.
“For more than 15 years I have worked tirelessly for individual politicians in this country. My decision has been driven by what I have learned and after consultations with various stakeholders, including my Nomiya Church. I will run for president in 2027,” said Mr Owalo.
On July 8 last year, Moses Kuria, who was Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Investment and Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, resigned as President Ruto’s economic adviser.
In addition, Mr Mbae resigned on January 13, 2025, as head of government programme delivery and implementation, a role later assigned to Mr Owalo.
Mr Mbae is currently in the camp of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, where he serves as an adviser on economic affairs and planning.
Political analyst Mark Bichachi says Mr Owalo is simply trying to remain politically relevant after losing his Cabinet position.
“He cannot use UDA and may start his own political party. The job he was doing did not involve direct public engagement, so this is his strategy to stay in the public conversation rather than fade away politically,” said Mr Bichachi.
After Mr Kuria resigned, claims spread that he was being used by the government to undermine former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who commands significant support in the Mount Kenya region.
Yesterday, in an interview with a radio station, Mr Gachagua told Mount Kenya residents to avoid Mr Kuria, claiming he is a ‘project’ of President Ruto meant to disrupt opposition votes in the region.
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