Who Was Dalmas Otieno
- Christabel Adhiambo
- Sep 8, 2025
- 3 min read
Dalmas Otieno born on April 19, 1945 in Kangeso village, Rongo Constituency, Migori County was a distinguished Kenyan politician whose career spanned over three decades, marked by significant contributions to the country's political and public service landscape.
Early Life
Otieno's educational journey began at Strathmore School, followed by Makerere University in Uganda, where he graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics.
Furthering his expertise, he obtained professional qualifications in insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute in London.
These academic and professional credentials laid the foundation for his subsequent career in finance and public administration.
Early Career in Finance and Public Service
Before venturing into politics, Otieno had a notable career in the financial sector. From 1971 to 1982, he served as an Accounts Manager at Insurance Agency Management.
Between 1982 and 1985, he held the positions of Chairman and Director at Kenya Commercial Bank. Additionally, he served as the Treasurer of the Kenyatta University Council from 1983 to 1987.
He showcased his leadership roles and financial acumen, which later influenced his political endeavors.
Entry into Politics
Otieno's political career began in 1988 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for the newly created Rongo Constituency under the Kenya African National Union (KANU) party.
His entry into Parliament marked the beginning of a long and influential political journey. During his tenure, he held several ministerial positions:
Minister for Industrialisation (1988–1991): Focused on promoting industrial growth and economic development.
Minister of Labour and Human Resource Development (1991): Worked on policies related to employment and workforce development.
Minister of Transport and Communications (1991–1996): Oversaw the development of Kenya's transport and communication infrastructure.
With the reintroduction of multiparty politics in 1991, Otieno aligned himself with the opposition, joining the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
In 2007, he reclaimed his Rongo seat and was appointed Minister of State for Public Service in the Grand Coalition government formed after the disputed elections.
In this capacity, he spearheaded landmark civil service reforms, including the digitization of government operations and the creation of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
Otieno was also instrumental in transforming the Kenya Institute of Administration into the Kenya School of Government and introduced the Civil Servants Medical Scheme.
Internationally, he supported the newly independent South Sudan by deploying Kenyan civil servants to assist in setting up administrative systems and later served as a special envoy to South Sudan peace talks.
In 2014, Otieno attempted to form his own political party named Kalausi, meaning whirlwind, aiming to rival the ODM party and emancipate the people of South Nyanza.
However, the party did not gain significant traction, and he later returned to ODM. In 2017, Otieno lost the ODM primaries to Paul Abuor and subsequently ran as an independent candidate for the Rongo MP seat but was unsuccessful. Despite these challenges, he remained a respected figure in Kenyan politics.
In 2018, Otieno was appointed as the Vice-Chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), a position he held until 2024.
In this role, he continued his dedication to public service, focusing on ensuring fair and transparent remuneration for public servants.
Personal Life and Legacy
Dalmas Otieno was known for his tall stature, earning him the affectionate nicknames "Wuod Bade Dongo" and "Tiga Ngute Bor."
Dalmas Otieno passed away on September 7, 2025, at the age of 80. According to his family, he died while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness at a Nairobi hospital.
Following his death, Kenyans, led by national and local leaders, have poured out their condolences, remembering him as a dedicated public servant and a towering figure in the country’s political landscape.
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