Senator Kajwang’: Dalmas Otieno was a rarity in our politics
By Arnold Ngure, September 8, 2025Homa Bay County Senator Moses Kajwang’ has mourned the late former Rongo MP and cabinet minister Dalmas Otieno as a man who exhibited rarity in the kind of politics he engaged in.
In a statement on Monday, September 8, 2025, Kajwang’ described Dalmas Otieno as an independent leader who usually spoke his mind even if it meant going against the grain.
Kajwang’ equally indicated that this attribute of the fallen former cabinet secretary would dispatch him to political oblivion, in a region whose politics revolves around the ODM Party.
“Dalmas was a rarity in our politics. He often spoke his mind even when it went against the grain. He was a political colossus in South Nyanza who, at some point, was considered a potential heir to Jaramogi. His Kalausi movement, birthed around 2014 at the time of my by-election, would eventually send him to the political sin bin,” Kajwang’ stated.
Unmatched success and longevity
“I doubt that any of the leaders in this generation will match his success and longevity as a Minister of the Republic. He was the ‘Prefect’ of the Kibaki-Raila Grand Coalition Government and served as the Minister for Public Service. He also served as Minister for Industrialization, Minister for Labour, and Minister for Transport. He understood how government worked, and he understood the political history of Kenya, having worked closely with Presidents Moi, Kibaki, Uhuru, Ruto, and Prime Minister Odinga.”
“I wish to convey my condolences to the family of the late Hon Dalmas Otieno following his sad demise this weekend,” Kajwang’ said.
He equally hailed his business acumen, noting that he was among the few politicians who started as successful businesspeople before venturing into politics.
Wise counsel
“Though we came from different generations, I had the privilege of taking his counsel from time to time. He had the guts to venture into the tough world of financial services at a time when leaders from the region were solely focused on politics,” Kajwang’ observed.
“When we consider his life, we should go back to the question of whether we should seek first the political kingdom or the economic kingdom. Hon Dalmas had very interesting views on this subject.”
“During this time of grief, I pray that the Lord may comfort his family and the many friends he had across the political divide,” Kajwang noted.