Former powerful Cabinet Minister Dalmas Otieno is dead aged 80 years

Former veteran politician who served in several powerful docket as Cabinet Minister Dalmas Otieno has died aged 80, his family has confirmed.

Dalmas’s political career took off in 1988 when he was elected Member of Parliament for Rongo on a KANU ticket.

The late retired President Daniel arap Moi appointed him Minister for Industrialisation, and he later held the Labour and Human Resource Development and Transport and Communications dockets.

His family members and relatives arrived at his home today evening to mourn his demise.

Under the tenure of the retired late President Mwai Kibaki, Dalmas was appointed as the Minister of State for Public Service.

He also had an illustrious career in finance and economics after studying Applied Economics at Makerere University.

During the 1990s transition to multiparty democracy, Otieno was part of the Inter-Parties Parliamentary Group (IPPG), playing a key role in shaping reforms that opened Kenya’s democratic space.

Otieno returned to Parliament in 2007 on an ODM ticket and was appointed Minister of State for Public Service in the Grand Coalition Government.

He spearheaded civil service reforms, including digitisation of government functions and laying foundations for the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

He retained his seat in 2013 but later broke away to form the ‘Kalausi’ movement which sought to reform political leadership in South Nyanza.

Though bold, the move cost him politically and he lost his seat in 2017.

In later years, he served as a member of the SRC before resigning in 2022 to contest the Migori governorship on a Jubilee ticket, a bid that was unsuccessful.

Today, President William Ruto led the country in mourning Dalmas remembering him as a visionary leader who served the nation with honour, integrity, and distinction.

“He was sharp, progressive, and industrious; a statesman whose ideas and leadership will continue to shape generations,” he said.

ODM leader Raila Odinga mourned the former legislator as a public servant who believed in the power of effective and efficient public service as a cornerstone of good governance.

“He was a committed public servant who believed in the power of effective and efficient public service as a cornerstone of good governance.,” Raila said in a statement on Sunday.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and to the people of Rongo and Migori County.”

On his part, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula hailed Otieno as a statesman who left a lasting mark on Kenya’s political and socio-economic landscape.

Wetang’ula lauded Otieno’s calm demeanor, intellect, and ability to bridge divides, qualities he said made him a voice of reason and an example of principled leadership.

“On behalf of the National Assembly and indeed the entire Parliament fraternity, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the people of Rongo Constituency, who for many years entrusted him with leadership. Kenya has lost a true son who dedicated his life to public service, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come,” he said.