Meet Eliud Owalo

Transformational Thought Leader with 23 years’ experience as an Economist, Management Consultant, Strategy and Performance Management Expert.

Current Position: Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President responsible for Performance and Delivery Management in Government.

I am proudly Kenyan.

Over the years, I have served worthy causes. I have partnered with local communities and agents of real change in socio-economic activities. I have been involved with worthy political, social and economic causes. My ultimate objective is always to realize a better, fairer, equitable and all-inclusive Kenya.

I first came to Nairobi after High School. I lived  in the sprawling slums of Kibra. Here, I got first-hand experience of the reality in which those at the bottom of the social and economic pyramid in our society live.  I had a taste of the plight and challenges that a majority at this level live in. I have since held zealously to the vision of making life more liveable for those at the bottom.

  • Nationality: Kenyan
  • Religion: Christian (Nomiya Church)
  • Marital status: Married
  • Education: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Candidate in Strategic Management, University of Nairobi.
  • Best Known As: A Professional and thought leader
Meet Eliud Owalo

Career

Eliud has 23 years’ experience as an Economist, Management Consultant and Strategy Expert with Core-Competency in Macro and Micro-Economics; Strategic Planning; Organizational Re-structuring; Job Evaluation and Pay Structure Architecture; Performance Management; Management of Strategic Change; Training Needs Assessment (T.N.A.);Organizational Design/Development; Executive Search, Selection and Placement (Recruitment);Human Resource Audit; Market Research/Surveys; and Feasibility Studies.

Currently: Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President.

To Date

Previously, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy

Previously, Managing Consultant, Eliud & Associates (E&A)

Previously, Director/Council Member – Kenya School of Government (KSG)

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Candidate in Strategic Management

University of Nairobi.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Human Resources Management,

University of Nairobi.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Hons. Degree in Economics and Business Studies,

Kenyatta University.
Meet Eliud Owalo

Membership

  • Fellow, Institute of Human Resource Management (FIHRM)
  • Fellow, Economists Society of Kenya (FESK)
  • Member, Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA)
  • Full Member, Kenya Institute of Management (KIM)
  • Member, Professional Trainers’ Association of Kenya (PTAK)

Nomination and Awards

  • African Digital Economy Awards (ADEA) Personality of the Year 2023.
  • Member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Global Digital Innovation Board
  • Elder of the Golden Heart (EGH) Presidential Award for exemplary services offered to the Kenyan Nation.

Areas of Specialization

  • Micro and Macro Economics
  • Strategic Planning;
  • Business Planning;
  • Organizational Re-structuring;
  • Job Evaluation and Pay Structure Architecture;
  • Performance Management;
  • Management of Strategic Change;
  • Training Needs Assessment (T.N.A.);
  • Organizational Design/Development;
  • Executive Search, Selection and Placement (Recruitment);
  • Human Resource Audit;
  • Market Research/Surveys;
  • Monitoring and Evaluation(M& E);and
  • Feasibility Studies.

SUCCESES DURING STINT AS CABINET SECRETARY

Between October 2022 and July 2024,Mr. Owalo served as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy in the Government of the Republic of Kenya under H.E. President Dr. William Samoei Ruto. He executed his mandate with zeal and gusto; spearheading operationalization of Kenya’s Digital Superhighway entailing the roll-out of 100,000Km of Fibre Optic Cable;25,000 Wi-Fi Hotspots;1,450 Village Digital Hubs for Digital Skilling and Digital Jobs; Digitalization of Government Services; Digital Entrepreneurship; plus revitalization of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation; Postal Corporation of Kenya; Kenya News Agency; and Re-engineering the operations of the Government Advertising Agency(GAA).

Among the key Milestones realized during Mr. Owalo’s Leadership at the Ministry include Laying-out of  10,219 Km of Fibre Optic Cable and Re-engineering the Fibre roll-out model to leverage on KPLC’s existing electricity transmission lines, envisaged to enable Kenya’s fiber optic cable backbone (NOFBI) to terminate at each of the 74,000 KPLC transformers and eventually to every meter in homes, businesses, and institutions nationwide, plus reducing the cost from Ksh. 2.3 Million per Kilometre to Ksh. 600,000 per Kilometre; Digitalization of 17,668 Government Services; Installation of 2,360 Public Wi-Fi Hotspots; Setting-Up of 274 Digital Hubs; Digital Skilling for 516,505 youth; Digital Jobs for 152,711 youth; Establishment of the EADAC and MKOPA local Assembly Plants for affordable Smart Phones which as at July 2024 had produced 1.5 Million Units of phones(with 579,771 Units already sold out); and created 2,350 jobs; Hosting of the Open University of Kenya on the Konza Technopolis Cloud Platform with a student enrolment level of 3,289 students as at July 2024; Establishment of a Data Centre at Konza;waiving of the 30% local ownership requirement for ICT Companies to spur Foreign Direct Investment in the ICT Sector; and lowering of the Mobile Termination Rates(MTR).

In the Broadcasting and Telecommunications sphere, key achievements realized as at July 2024 include Development and launch of an E-Commerce Strategy; a National Addressing System Policy and Bill; reduction in Government Advertisement Expenditure by 47%; Operationalization of Studio Mashinani under the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation; Diversification of Revenue Streams for the Postal Corporation of Kenya through E-Commerce; and advancement of the Public Relations and Communication Management Bill.

Equally, Eliud also established a Sector Working Group(SWG) to review Sectoral Policies, Laws and Regulations in line with emerging technologies plus changes and emerging issues in the operational environment.

Under Eliud’s stewardship, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy was voted the LEAST CORRUPT Ministry by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission(EACC).

Consultancy Experience

Eliud Owalo is a well-known, vastly-experienced and respected Economist, Management Consultant and Strategy Expert who has previously practiced as the Managing Consultant of Eliud & Associates (E&A) Management Consultants, an International Management Consultancy and Training firm. He holds a BA Degree in Economics and Business Studies from Kenyatta University, an MBA Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Nairobi and is currently a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Candidate in Strategic Management at the University of Nairobi.

Eliud is a Fellow of the Institute of Human Resource Management (FIHRM) with a current/valid Practicing Certificate to the same effect; Fellow of the Economists Society of Kenya (FESK); Member, Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA); Full Member, Kenya Institute of Management (KIM); Member of the Professional Trainers’ Association of Kenya (PTAK); and a Former Director/Council Member of the Kenya School of Government (KSG).

Eliud has 23 years’ experience as an Economist, Management Consultant and Strategy Expert with  Core-Competency in Macro and Micro-Economics; Strategic Planning; Business Planning; Organizational Re-structuring; Job Evaluation and Pay Structure Architecture; Performance Management; Management of Strategic Change; Training Needs Assessment (T.N.A.);Organizational Design/Development; Executive Search, Selection and Placement (Recruitment);Human Resource Audit; Market Research/Surveys; and Feasibility Studies.

Eliud has been the Lead Consultant in major consultancy assignments in both the Public and Private Sectors; amongst which include the following consultancy assignments:

 

1. Design of Strategic Plans

In the area of Strategic Planning Eliud has in the recent past  Designed/Reviewed over 50 Strategic Plans(Including either Mid-Term or End-Term Evaluation/Review of the preceding Strategic Plans) and aligned them to the Constitution of Kenya 2010;Kenya Vision 2030 and its Medium-Term Plans, and most recently to the United Nation(UN)’s Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs);the AU’s Agenda 2064;EAC Vision 2050; and the National Government’s Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda(BETA); and other relevant Policy Documents at Sectoral;National;Regional;Continental;and Global levels plus in some cases subsequent development of corresponding Business Plans which are aligned to the respective Strategic Plans.

These include Design of Strategic Plans for the National Treasury and Planning; Kenya Development Corporation(KDC); National Construction Authority(NCA); Kenya Rural Roads Authority(KERRA);Lake Region Economic Bloc(LREB);Narok Kajiado Economic Bloc(NAKAEB);the Commission on Administrative Justice(CAJ)-Office of the Ombudsman; Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS); Mumias Sugar Co. Ltd; Kenya National Highways Authority(Twice); Kenya School of Government; Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology(JOOUST);Youth Enterprise Development Fund Board; Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency(RVWWDA);Office of the Governor, Turkana County; Water Services Providers Association(WASPA); Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forestry; Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs; Ministry of Lands; Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security; Ministry of Labour(Twice); Ministry of Cooperative Development and Marketing; Ministry of State for National Heritage and Culture; Kenya Ports Authority; Kenya Airports Authority; Kenya Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd.(KETRACO);Kenya Trade Network Agency(KENTRADE);Competition Authority of Kenya (LREB); Nzoia Sugar Co. Ltd.(Thrice); Chemelil Sugar Co. Ltd.; N.S.S.F. Pension Scheme; Tourism Fund Staff Pension Scheme; Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA);Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS); National Council for Law Reporting (NCLR); Kenya Shippers Council (KSC);Africa Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI); Karachuonyo Constituency; Rongo Constituency; Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority; Chai Sacco;Water Services Regulatory Board; Lake Victoria South Water Services Board;Thika Water and Sewerage Co. Ltd; Kisumu Water and Sewerage Services Company Ltd; Nyeri Water and Sewerage Services Company Ltd.; Gusii Water and Sanitation Company Ltd.; Mikutra Water and Sanitation Company Ltd. and Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (T.A.R.D.A.).

2.         Balanced Scorecard Performance Management

BSC and Performance management consultancy for Kenya Revenue Authority, Agricultural Development Corporation, Central Bank of Kenya, Kenya Commercial Bank, Consolidated Bank of Kenya, CFC Group, Safaricom Ltd; Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd, British American (BRITAK), and Kenya Aerotech Ltd, Micro-Enterprise Support Programme Trust (MESPT), Tegemeo Institute (Egerton University), National Hospital Insurance Fund (NSSF), Kenya Sugar Research Foundation(K.E.S.R.E.F.), amongst others.

3.       Job Evaluation, Workload Analysis and Work Re-design

Job Evaluation, workload analysis and work-redesign  for Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA); Kenya Development Corporation(KDC);Constituencies Development Fund Board (CDF Board);Kenya Sugar Research Foundation(K.E.S.R.E.F.);Kenya Forestry Research Institute(K.E.F.R.I.);Micro and Small Enterprises (MESPT),Africa Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute(AFRALTI);and Egerton University’s Tegemeo Institute.

4.  Organizational design and development

Organizational Design/Development of Organization Structures for Kenya Vision 2030 delivery Secretariat (VDS); Kenya Development Corporation(KDC);Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (K.E.S.R.E.F.); Nzoia Water Services Co. Ltd, Amatsi Water Services Co. Ltd.; as well as review of Organization Structures for all the Organizations we have undertaken Strategic Planning assignments for as enumerated here below with a view to coming up with Organization Structures that can facilitate successful implementation of the Strategic Plans.

5.        Recruitment, Selection and Placement:

Recruitment, Selection and Placement for: Nzoia Sugar Co. Ltd.; National Hospital Insurance Fund (N.H.I.F.); Sonarwa Insurance Company-Kigali-Rwanda; Kenya Bankers Association; Kenya Sugar Research Foundation(K.E.S.R.E.F.); Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (K.A.R.I.); K.U.S.C.O.; Agricultural Finance Corporation (A.F.C.); Kenya Pipeline Co. Ltd.(KPC); National Oil Corporation of Kenya(N.O.C.K.);KENTRADE, Chronicle Tours and Travel;  and Kenya Power& Lighting Co. Ltd.(K.P.L.C.).

6.      Skills Audit/Training Needs Assessment (TNA)

Skills Audit/Training Needs Assessment and Competency Profiling for Siaya County Government, Ministry of Agriculture (MOA);Ministry of Finance (MOF);Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources (MEMR);National Hospital Insurance Fund (N.HI.F.);Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (K.E.S.R.E.F.);Micro-Enterprises Support Programme Trust(MESPT);and Egerton University’s Tegemeo Institute.

7.  Development of Change Management Strategy /Culture Change Management

Development of Change Management Strategy/Culture Change Management for Kenyatta National Hospital(KNH);National Social Security Fund(NSSF),Kenyatta National Hospital(KNH); Chemelil Sugar Co. Ltd., Kenya Ports Authority(K.P.A.),National Hospital Insurance Fund (N.H.I.F.).,Lake Basin Development Authority (L.B.D.A.).,Kerio Valley Development Authority (K.V.D.A.).,Lake Victoria South Water Services Board, Lake Victoria North Water Services Board, Rift Valley Water Services Board, and Mombasa Water and Sewerage Services Company Ltd.

8.     Market Research/ Surveys

Customer Satisfaction Survey for Kenya Electricity Generating Co. Ltd.(KeNGEN);Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Trade; Ministry of Labour ; Ministry of Regional Development Authorities ;Kenya Pipeline Co. Ltd.; Energy Regulatory Commission; Kenya National Highways Authority; Constituencies Development Fund Board; Coast Development Authority; National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation; Kenya Medical Research Institute(K.E.M.R.I.);Kenya National Examinations Council(K.N.E.C.); Rift Valley Water Services Board; and Lake Victoria South Water Services Board and Homabay County Water and Sanitation Co. Ltd.

Work Environment Survey for Ministry of Trade; Kenya Airports Authority; Nzoia Sugar Co. Ltd.; Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE);Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation; Kenya National Examinations Council(K.N.E.C.);Kenya National Highways Authority; Coast Development Authority; Lake Victoria South Water Services Board; and Kenya Airports Authority.

Employee Satisfaction Survey for Ministry of Trade; Nzoia Sugar Co. Ltd.; Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation; Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE).;Kenya National Examinations Council(K.N.E.C.);Kenya National Highways Authority; Coast Development Authority; and Lake Victoria South Water Services Board.

Corruption Perception Survey for Kenya Pipeline Co. Ltd. and Lake Victoria South Water Services Board.

9.        Development of Business Plans

Development of Business Plans for Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA); Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency(CRVWWDA);Lake Victoria South Water Services Board; and  Lake Victoria North Water Services Board.

10.    Experience in Training/Facilitation of Workshops

In training, Eliud has over the past 23 years been Lead Trainer/undertaken facilitation of major Workshops/ Training programmes, amongst which include:

Balanced Scorecard Course for Kenya Revenue Authority; Agricultural Development Corporation; Chai Sacco Agricultural Finance Corporation.; Kenya Aerotech Co. Ltd.;East African Reinsurance Company.

Corporate Governance Course for the Board and Top Management of Water Services Providers Association(WASPA);Kenya Forestry Research Institute(K.E.F.R.I.).;Board and Top Management of Mumias Outgrowers Co.(1998) Ltd.;Board and Top Management of Lake Victoria South Water Services Board.;Board and Top Management of Rift Valley Water Services Board.

Change Management Course for Kenyatta National Hospital(KNH)Kenya Electricity Generating Co. Ltd.(KeNGEN);National Social Security Fund(N.S.S.F.);Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA);Chemelil Sugar Co. Ltd. ;Kenya Ports Authority(K.P.A.); National Hospital Insurance Fund (N.H.I.F.).; Lake Basin Development Authority (L.B.D.A.).;; Kerio Valley Development Authority (K.V.D.A.).; Lake Victoria South Water Services Board.;  Lake Victoria North Water Services Board.;  Rift Valley Water Services Board.; Mombasa Water and Sewerage Services Company Ltd.

Management Development Programme(MDP) for Kenya Ports Authority (K.P.A.).; Kenya Revenue Authority (K.R.A.).; Mumias Sugar Co. Ltd.; National Hospital Insurance ; Geothermal Development Co. ; Kenya Tourist Board (KTB).; Constituencies Development Fund ;  Corporate Insurance Co. Ltd.; National Cereals and Produce ; Muhoroni Sugar Co. Ltd.; Mombasa Water & Sewerage Co. ; Kisumu Water & Sewerage Co. ; Chronicle Group of Companies.

Training of Trainers (T.O.T.) Course for Unga Ltd.;Kenya Revenue Authority (K.R.A.).;Mumias Sugar Co. Ltd.;Kenya Power & Lighting Co. Ltd.(K.P.L.C.). ;National Social Security Fund(N.S.S.F.).;National Hospital Insurance Fund(N.H.I.F.).;and Mumias Outgrowers Co.(1998) LTD.; Nairobi Water & Sewerage Co. Ltd.

Human Resource Planning and Succession Planning Course for Lake Basin Development Authority (L.B.D.A.).; Intra Africa ; East African Portland ; Kenya Sugar Board;  Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Co. Ltd.; Sight Savers International.; Kenya Airports Authority.; Constituencies Development Fund Board Secretariat

Customer Care Course for Mumias Sugar Co. Ltd.; Kenya Electricity Generation Co.  Ltd.(KENGEN).; Kenya Pipeline Co. Ltd.; Export Processing Zones Authority.;  Kenya Bureau of Standards.; Export Promotion Council ; EPC).; Kenya Utalii College.; Lake Victoria South Water Services Board.; ; Lake Victoria ;North Water Services Board.; Rift Valley Water Services Board.;the KENGEN-sponsored Mvuke Primary School.; Training of Trainers (T.O.T.) Course for Unga Ltd.;  Kenya Revenue Authority (K.R.A.).;  Mumias Sugar Co. Ltd.; Kenya Power & Lighting Co. Ltd.(K.P.L.C.). ; National Social Security Fund(N.S.S.F.).; National Hospital Insurance Fund(N.H.I.F.).  Mumias Outgrowers Co.(1998) Ltd.;  Nairobi Water & Sewerage Co. Ltd.; ;performance Management Course for N.H.I.F.; ; Aon Minet Insurance Brokers Ltd.; Lake Victoria North Water Services Board.; Chronicle Tours and Travel Ltd.; Mumias Outgrowers Company (1998) Ltd.; SONY Sugar Co. Ltd.; Chronicle Tours and Travel Ltd.

Supervisory Skills Development Course for Kenya Pipeline Co. Ltd.; Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd.; Unilever Tea (K) Ltd.; National Oil Corporation of Kenya  ;National Hospital Insurance ;  Mumias Sugar Co. Ltd.; Nzoia Sugar Co. Ltd. ; Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation.; Supervisory Skills Development Course for Kenya Institute of Special Education(K.I.S.E.).;  National Water Conservation & Pipeline ; Mombasa Water & Sewerage Co. Ltd.; Kenya Ports Authority.; Kenya Power and Lighting Co. Ltd.; Mumias Sugar Company Ltd.; Chemelil Sugar Co. Ltd.; Nzoia Sugar Co. Ltd.; Industrial Relations Course for Sony Sugar Co. Ltd.; Industrial Relations Course for Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Co. Ltd.; Records Management Course for Higher Education Loans Board.; Mumias Sugar Company Ltd.; N.H.I.F.; Lake Victoria South Water Services Board.; Ministry of Trade.; Pre-training of Retrenches for Mumias Sugar Co. Ltd.; Team Building Course for Kenya Revenue Authority (K.R.A.).;and   Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd.;  Geothermal  Development Co. Ltd.

Industrial Relations Course for Kenya Ports Authority;Kenya Power and Lighting Co. Ltd.;Mumias Sugar Company Ltd.;Chemelil Sugar Co. Ltd.;Nzoia Sugar Co. Ltd.;Sony Sugar Co. Ltd.;and Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Co. Ltd.

Team Building Course for Kenya Revenue Authority (K.R.A.);Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd;Geothermal Development Co. Ltd.; Siaya County Government;and Chronicle Tours and Travel Ltd.

Records Management Course for Higher Education Loans Board.; Mumias Sugar Company Ltd.; N.H.I.F. and Lake Victoria South Water Services Board.

Enterprise Development Course/ Pre-training of Retrenches for Ministry of Trade;Mumias Sugar Co. Ltd.;and Telepost Co-operative Savings & Credit Society Ltd.

Work Planning Course for Lake Basin Development Authority (L.B.D.A.).

Time Management Course for Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd. and the National Security Intelligence Service.

Support Staff Course for Kenya Bureau of Standards.

Clerical Staff Course for Kenya Bureau of Standards.

Disaster Preparedness/Management Course for Giro Commercial Bank and Lake Victoria South Water Services Board.

HIV/AIDS Awareness Course for Kenya Utalii College.

Report Writing, Minute Taking and Presentation Skills Course for Postal Corporation of Kenya. KENGEN.; Stima Sacco.; Eldoret Polytechnic.

Executive Secretarial Skills Course for KENGEN, K.P.L.C.,Kenya Pipeline Co. Ltd., Kenya Ports Authority(K.P.A.),Mumias Sugar Co., Chemelil Sugar Co., Nation Media Group, Electricity Regulatory Board, National Oil Corporation of Kenya, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Postal Corporation of Kenya, Tea Board of Kenya, Kenya Airports Authority,Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority, National Irrigation Board, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Tourist Board, Higher Education Loans Board, Coffee Development Fund, Kenya Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd., the Monarch Insurance Co. Ltd.,Bondo University College, Compassion International, Numerical Machining Complex, Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission, Nairobi Water Services Board, Coast Water Services Board, Water Services Trust Fund, Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Services Co., National Water Conservation & Pipeline Corporation,Agakhan University East Africa, and Marie Stopes Kenya, amongst others.

Eliud has 23 years’ experience as a Consultant/trainer.

Leadership Positions Previously Held

  • Head student – St. Mary’s School, Yala (Year 1988 -1989).
  • Chairman and Player, Kenyatta University Basketball Club, the Pirates (1992-1994).

COUNTRIES VISITED

 

COUNTRY DATES
1.     UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 23/07/2013
2.     UNITED KINGDOM 25/04/2013, 31/07/2012, 10/08/2012
3.     GERMANY 19/11/2023
4.     FRANCE 09/12/2012
5.     SPAIN 25/02/2023
6.     SWITZERLAND 09/07/2023
7.     INDIA 11/06/2023, 29/03/2015, 26/01/2015
8.     NERTHERLANDS 11/12/2012
9.     CHINA 24/08/2015, 29/03/2015, 17/07/2012
10.  KOREA 21/11/2022
11.  SOUTH AFRICA 10/12/2021, 28/09/2014
12.  RWANDA 18/10/2023
13.  ETHIOPIA 08/11/2013
14.  UGANDA 16/05/2014
15.  ZANZIBAR-TANZANIA 22/10/2015
16.  SOUTH SUDAN 10/03/2021