Former Rongo Member of Parliament Dalmas Otieno is Dead

Dalmas Otieno //Photo courtesy

Former Rongo Member of Parliament Dalmas Otieno was on Sunday, September 7, 2025 confirmed dead, according to a preliminary statement from the family.

The former lawmaker is reported to have died at his Kileleshwa home, with other sources indicating that he may have passed away while undergoing treatment. The family is expected to issue a formal statement to clarify the circumstances surrounding his death.

Otieno, who was 80, was a seasoned politician whose career spanned more than three decades. He first entered Parliament in 1988 on a KANU ticket and went on to serve in several senior cabinet positions, including Minister for Industrialization, Minister for Transport, and Minister of State for Public Service during the Grand Coalition Government.

He built a reputation as a firm and independent leader, later breaking away from ODM in 2014 to form the Kalausi movement in South Nyanza, which sought to challenge the party’s dominance in the region.

Before joining politics, Otieno studied at Makerere University and trained as a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London. He established himself in the financial sector, serving as Chairman of Kenya Commercial Bank and Treasurer of the Kenyatta University Council.

In later years, he served as Vice-Chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission until 2022. Earlier this year, Rongo University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Arts degree in recognition of his contribution to the country.

The veteran politician’s personal life was marked by both public service and tragedy. He was married to three wives and had several children. His son Isaiah was killed in a helicopter crash in Canada in 2008, while his wife Jane died in 2024.