"Thank You" Dalmas Otieno's Wife Thanks Ruto For State House Appointment

A family in Migori County is balancing both grief and gratitude after the widow of the late former Rongo Member of Parliament, Dalmas Otieno, revealed she has been appointed to a senior government role.

Dorothy Otieno, the third wife of the late politician, made the announcement on Thursday, October 2, during her husband’s burial service in Rongo. 

In her speech, she expressed deep thanks to President William Ruto for trusting her with the position of Director for Social Programmes at State House.

According to Dorothy, the appointment had come earlier but she chose not to speak about it until after the funeral. 

She explained that the days following her husband’s passing were meant for mourning, not celebration.

“I want to sincerely thank His Excellency the President for this honour. The appointment came earlier, but I felt it was respectful to mourn first before announcing it. Today, I can share the news with all of you,” she told mourners.

Dorothy, who has been an open supporter of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), added that her new role is both a responsibility and an opportunity to continue serving Kenyans. She promised to focus on programmes that uplift families and vulnerable communities.

Her remarks came only months after she had declared interest in joining active politics. Before her husband’s death, she had expressed plans to run for the Rongo parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election, signaling her intention to extend the Otieno family’s political legacy.

Dalmas Otieno, remembered as a seasoned politician and Cabinet minister, represented Rongo Constituency for several terms. 

He also served in different ministerial dockets, including Planning and Public Service. Known for his independence, he once attempted to create a new political party, Kalausi, to challenge ODM dominance in Nyanza.