Dalmas Otieno: The defiant Moi-era minister who knew how to survive politically

Dalmas Otieno was among a group of Kenya African National Union (Kanu) leaders from Nyanza who survived the Odinga wave.

The former Rongo MP and Cabinet minister, who died on Sunday at his Nairobi residence aged 80, has been eulogised by leaders across the political spectrum as a visionary whose ideas will continue to shape the county’s future.

A Cabinet member in President Daniel arap Moi’s government, Otieno withstood pressure as most leaders in Luo Nyanza swore allegiance to opposition doyen Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, whose influence, upon his death in 1994, was inherited by his son Raila Amolo Odinga.

During Moi’s reign, Otieno briefly served in 1991 in the Ministry of Industry, Labour and Human Resource Development before being transferred to the Ministry of Transport and Communication, which he headed in two separate stints until 1996.

He was then appointed Minister for Industrialisation and made co-chair of the Inter-Parties Parliamentary Group, which reviewed sections of the Constitution ahead of the 1997 elections.

Born on April 19 1945 in West Kamagambo, then in South Nyanza District (now Migori County), Otieno entered politics in 1988, at the height of calls for the reintroduction of multiparty politics.

A graduate of Makerere University in Applied Economics, he contested the Rongo seat against veterans including Phares Oluoch Kanindo and Linus Aluoch. 

It was an interesting mlolongo election since Otieno and Aluoch were cousins – a scenario that would have worked in favour of Kanindo. Otieno was regarded as the greenhorn since Kanindo and Aluoch had previously served as MPs.

Attempts by elders to prevail Otieno to stand down bore no fruits. At the stroke of the pen, President Moi appointed Kanindo chairman of Sony Sugar Company clearing the hurdle for Otieno who went on to win the race.

Moi immediately appointed him Minister for Industry. He stayed close to President and later shifted allegiance to opposition leader Raila Odinga, then to President Mwai Kibaki and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

After graduating from Makerere University in 1971, Otieno was later admitted at the University of Nairobi for a Masters of Business Administration degree, from where he graduated in 1980.

Before joining politics, Otieno Between 1971 and 1982, worked as an accounts manager for Insurance Agency Management between 1971 and 1982. Then for three years from 1982, he chaired the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Board.

The tide

He lost his ministerial post in 1992 after being swept out of Parliament during the multiparty wave, as Cabinet ministers were required to be serving MPs. The Ford–Kenya wave eliminated all 18 Kanu MPs in Luo Nyanza. Keen to show national reach, Moi nominated Otieno back to Parliament and reappointed him Minister for Transport and Communication.

In 1996, however, Moi dismissed him after he publicly opposed Agriculture Minister Simeon Nyachae’s decision to revoke a ban on sugar imports. Otieno had warned that lifting the ban would lead to the collapse of the sugar industry and claimed the policy had been influenced by greedy, powerful politicians and a lobby of influential traders.

He maintained that leaders from the then Nyanza and Western provinces would not give up in the fight for the rights of sugarcane farmers whose livelihoods were at stake.

After staying in the cold for a while, Otieno bounced into the public limelight in 2008 when Raila, then Prime Minister in the Coalition government with President Mwaki Kibaki, appointed him as minister for Public Service.

This came a year after Otieno had quit the Kanu party as the vice chairman and joined Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He went on to become one of Raila’s key advisers.

However, after Raila lost his quest to succeed Kibaki in the 2013 elections, differences between Otieno and Raila emerged. Otieno now embraced Uhuru who was now president and to challenge Raila’s stronghold of Luo politics, Otieno came up with an amorphous movement in 2014 known as Kalausi (whirlwind).

“The party is alive and kicking. We are not turning back in our campaign to provide alternative leadership. We will be making a major announcement in two weeks,” Otieno said about his movement.

After failing to recapture the Rongo seat in in 2017, the former Cabinet minister was appointed to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

In 2022, he resigned from the SRC to contest the Migori gubernatorial seat on a Jubilee Party ticket, but lost to Ochilo Ayacko.

Short illness

On Sunda, his son Eddy Otieno said the first MP for Rongo died after a short illness.“It is true that we have lost him,” Eddy said.

President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga were among the leaders who mourned Otieno.

Ruto said Otieno served Kenya with honour, integrity, and distinction. He said Otieno’s sharpness, progressive mindset, and industrious nature will continue to shape generations.

“Waziri Dalmas Otieno served our nation with honour, integrity, and distinction. His passing is a great loss to the nation,” said President Ruto.

On his part, Raila described Otieno as a distinguished statesman and visionary leader whose public legacy in public service, intellect, and integrity would be remembered for generations.

Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko said Otieno’s commitment to the development of Migori County and his tireless advocacy for the welfare of the people would always be remembered.

“On behalf of the people of Migori County and my office, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the late Dalmas Otieno,” Governor Ayacko said.

Governor Ayacko said Otieno’s contributions to the society, which span from effective leadership to his selfless service, have left an indelible mark on the lives of many.

Outpouring of tributes

Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi termed Otieno “a visionary and dependable leader”.

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Hon Dalmas Otieno, following his sudden demise. Dalmas was a visionary and dependable leader who rose through the ranks of political leadership and public service to become one of the most consequential Cabinet Ministers,” he said.

Gideon recalled Otieno’s days in Kanu, saying he was a dedicated member who “devoted his time and expertise to the party and served it with unmatched excellence”.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family and assure them of our support during this sorrowful time.”

Kisumu Governor Anyang Ny’ong’o said the former minister’s selfless service to the people of Rongo constituency and to the people of Kenya, whom he was appointed to serve as a cabinet minister over diverse periods, would be remembered through his contributions and positive impact over time.

“Having known him personally over the years and worked together with him on different platforms over time, I will always remember and cherish his wit on transformative economic ideas for the wananchi alongside his foresight and political contributions,” Prof. Ny’ong’o said.

The governor celebrated his positive contributions and impact.

Eliud Owalo said Otieno was an exceptionally brilliant and composed leader, articulate, visionary, and a shrewd businessman with an unwavering passion for socio-economic development.

“He was also a pioneer entrepreneur in both the insurance and banking sectors,” Owalo said, adding that they recently collaborated on the conceptualisation of the Nyanza International Investment Conference.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said Otieno’s passing has robbed Kenya of one of the most brilliant minds of its generation.

“At this moment of grief, I stand in solidarity with his family, the people of Rongo, and Kenyans at large as we mourn the loss of a gallant son of our beloved nation,” Governor Wanga said.

She described him as a pivotal figure in Kenya’s political landscape, saying that he served as a dedicated public servant in various senior government roles.

“His strong leadership and significant contributions to Kenya’s development agenda earned him immense respect and admiration across the country,” Wanga stated.

Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi described Otieno as a distinguished statesman whose decades of dedicated public service stood as a testament to integrity, commitment, and leadership.

“His contributions to national development and mentorship of many continue to leave an enduring mark on our country,” CS Wandayi said.

Awendo MP Walter Owino said Otieno laid the foundation for them to build on and that they eternally remain grateful for his service.

“I inherited a constituency that you once represented as a Member of Parliament. On behalf of Awendo Constituency residents, I extend my condolences to the family of Hon. Dalmas Otieno Anyango,” Owino said.

Dalmas served as a Minister for Industrialisation from 1988 to 1991.

He also served in two ministries, Labour and Human Resource Development and Transport, from 1991 to 1996.

The former Rongo MP also served as a Minister for Public Service during former President Mwai Kibaki’s era of the grand coalition government.

He was elected Rongo MP in 1988 before serving as a Minister for Industrialisation and transitioning to Minister of Labour and Human Resource Development in 1991.

Later that year, Otieno served as a Minister for Transport and Communications.

He  joined ODM in 2007, where he reclaimed his Rongo seat and won.

Otieno was later appointed Minister for Public Service. He was again re-elected as Rongo MP in 2013 but lost in 2017 when he decamped from the ODM party.