The latest to exit government is Eliud Owalo, a close ally of the President who served as Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency.
Owalo resigned earlier this month after publicly declaring his intention to run for president in 2027, saying it would be inappropriate to remain in government while politically challenging the Head of State.
His departure has fueled debate on whether senior officials are quietly positioning themselves for the next election cycle.
Owalo’s resignation comes barely six months after Moses Kuria, another powerful figure in Ruto’s administration, stepped down in July 2025. Kuria had held several influential roles, including Cabinet Secretary and later Senior Economic Adviser to the President.
While he cited personal reasons for his exit, his departure was widely interpreted as politically motivated amid shifting alliances within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Before Kuria’s departure, the Office of the President had already suffered another major loss.
In January 2025, Peter Mbae, who served as Head of the Government Delivery Services (GDS), resigned after months of scrutiny over government performance and mounting internal pressure.
His exit marked the first major shake-up within State House operations.
In total, the Office of the President has lost three senior officials within a span of 12 months, a trend that has sparked speculation about internal rifts and unease within government ranks.
While some of the resigned leaders are believed to harbor genuine political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections, others are viewed as victims of internal power struggles and shifting political priorities.
As the country inches closer to the next general election, political observers continue to ask whether this marks a season of fleeing Ruto or the early realignment of Kenya’s political landscape.