Former Police Spokesperson Charles Owino on Wednesday, May 18, dropped out of the Siaya gubernatorial race where he had been picked as running mate to former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo.
Reports indicate that the former cop is set to return to the disciplined service for a position within the National Police Service Commission.
A source aware of the matter told Kenyans.co.ke that the former police officer is expected to assume the position of the Director of the Kenya National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons after an appointment by Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai.
The new role is a promotion from his earlier role as a deputy director of the agency before taking a break to try his luck in politics.
In his place, Gumbo is reported to have appointed David Ohito, a former Standard editor who serves as UDM party Secretary-General.
Ohito had earlier told the press that after Owino's departure, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gave the party 24 hours to look for an emergency replacement.
The source further revealed that Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai revoked a resignation letter that had been presented to him by Owino.
Instead, he gave him a 7-day ultimatum to reply to the letter posting him as the agency's director.
Owino had entered into an agreement with Gumbo to serve as his running mate ahead of the 2022 General Election. The two were to face off with ODM candidate James Orengo and his running mate William Oduol.
He had initially joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in March after resigning from his police job in June 2021.
He was eying the Siaya Gubernatorial seat but towards the end of March, he exited the Raila Odinga-led party for UDM where he agreed to deputise Gumbo.
He argued at the time that he fell out with ODM management after he was asked to relegate the position to another aspirant despite paying the nomination fees.
