Dalmas Otieno’s farewell journey kicks off in Nairobi
Former Cabinet Minister for Public Service Dalmas Otieno’s farewell journey has kicked off in Nairobi as leaders join family and mourners in honouring the life of a visionary statesman who passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2025.
A memorial mass, which was held at the Don Bosco Catholic Church, Upper Hill, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, saw notable leaders like Martha Karua attend the service.
You might also like
Also Watch: Babu Owino mourns late cabinet minister Dalmas Otieno
In a post on her official X account, Karua confirmed her attendance at the Don Bosco Catholic Church in Upper Hill.
“At the Don Bosco church, Upperhill, in the funeral service for the late Hon. Dalmas Otieno, former MP for Rongo & former cabinet minister #RIPDalmasOtieno,” Karua tweeted.
In a detailed report shared with the members of the press, the family has confirmed that the family will hold a requiem mass for the late Hon. Dalmas Otieno Anyango on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Rongo Show Grounds.
The family has further confirmed that the funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at Kangeso Village, Migori County.
Dalmas Otieno’s death
Former Cabinet Minister for Public Service, Dalmas Otieno’s death was confirmed by his son, Eddy, who announced that his father, who served as a minister in both President Daniel Arap Moi’s and Mwai Kibaki’s cabinets, died at his Karen home.
According to the son, the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Rongo Constituency succumbed to pressure-related complications.
Political career
Otieno’s political career mirrored the ebbs and flows of Kenya’s and Migori’s shifting political tides.
He entered national politics in 1988 under controversial circumstances, reportedly rigged in as Rongo MP on a KANU ticket, replacing his cousin, Linus Aluoch Polo alias Polo Piach, a Ford Kenya stalwart.
Despite this turbulent beginning, Otieno quickly rose through the ranks, earning a cabinet position under President Daniel arap Moi. His technocratic competence and calm demeanour earned him the moniker, ” Wacho gi Gitimo(loosely translated as saying and actioning”.
Family line
Before his death, Otieno had lost one of his wives last year and was currently living with another wife, Dorothy Otieno, a former County public service minister in Homabay County and now a UDA member, who is eyeing the Migori County woman rep seat.
His family is a political one. It recalled that at the onset of the devolved system of government, one of his son’s Frederick Otieno Alias Nyang, contested for the Migori gubernatorial elections on an independent party ticket and lost to Zachary Okoth Obado of PDP then.
Otieno’s death marks the end of an era for a man who straddled both autocracy and democracy with measured composure.
Several leaders, led by Governor Ayacko, Migori MPs Paul About( Rongo), Walter Owino (Awendo), and former MP Edick Anyanga, paid tribute to him.
They eulogised Otieno as a polished administrator who was principled in politics and prayed to God to grant family strength and fortitude to overcome the grief.
Many more condolences still poured in as the news filtered through social media realms.
