Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday, January 14, surprised residents of Siaya County when he recounted his first interactions with ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo.
Gachagua revealed that he first met Owalo during former President Daniel arap Moi's regime at Kisumu State Lodge.
"I met Owalo way back in 1992 when he wanted to meet the then President Daniel arap Moi and I have since closely followed his journey and path to leadership," DP Gachagua noted.
According to Gachagua, the young Owalo showed an early interest in joining politics and taking part in major policy issues that would shape the country.
"Owalo approached me and asked if he can meet Mzee Moi in order to share with him some political strategies on how he could win some votes in this difficult region (then) as it is (now)," Gachagua added.
The Deputy President told those who gathered to celebrate Owalo's appointment to the Cabinet that his friendship with the ICT CS spanned over three decades.
"He was a university student then, and he was working at Harambee House as one of the people who were assisting President Daniel arap Moi in the management of public policy and political organisation in the country," Gachagua recounted.
Gachagua remembered Owalo's exemplary performance while serving in the Office of President in the early 90s.
"I did organise for Eliud Owalo to have a sitting with President Moi at the Kisumu State Lodge in 1992," Gachagua remembered.
On meeting Owalo, former President Moi marveled at the young man's brilliant presentations on Nyanza's political future.
"President Daniel arap Moi listened to Owalo and said, 'young man you have a great future in leadership," Gachagua further recounted.
Gachagua asked Owalo to remain steadfast in his faith and to focus on uniting Kenyans of all walks of life, not just the people of the former Nyanza province.
"I'm so happy today that President Moi's words have come to pass, and he is now a Cabinet Secretary," Gachagua affirmed.
On his part, President William Ruto praised the Cabinet Secretary for his willingness to bring about change in the country.
Ruto who graced the homecoming and thanksgiving ceremony for the ICT and Creative Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo at his Gangu village, Siaya County, also told the gathering that the people of Nyanza are dear to him.
Before attending the Owalo's ceremony, the head of state opened a research hub at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo Constituency.
In his three-day tour of the region, President William Ruto was warmly received in Kisumu and Homa Bay where he was gifted a 20 kilogramme fish.
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