Eliud Owalo, a senior government official with many years in politics, is now facing public criticism over how he allegedly treated his long-time personal aide, Ken Arek, who recently died under painful and unclear circumstances.
This story has touched many people, especially because Arek was not just a worker he was someone who stood with Owalo for more than a decade. Since 2012, Arek was seen as a loyal figure behind Owalo’s political journey.
He played a key role in digital communication and political blogging, helping to shape Owalo’s public image, especially during the difficult early years. Many now find it hard to understand how someone who gave so much could be left behind when it mattered the most.
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According to reports, Arek struggled in silence for years. Despite Owalo climbing the political ladder, eventually becoming a Cabinet Secretary and now serving as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, he allegedly did very little to assist Arek.
Even with access to government jobs and resources, Owalo is said to have made no effort to help his longtime aide get a stable job or any form of meaningful support.
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This neglect, sources say, affected Arek’s mental and emotional health. His life slowly fell apart, and when he was finally found dead, those close to him could only describe the situation as heartbreaking.
People who had watched their bond over the years were filled with grief and anger, not just because of the death, but because of how it could have been prevented.
The anger grew even more when Owalo decided to transfer Arek’s body from Bondo Mortuary to the more prestigious Aga Khan Mortuary. To some, this looked like a last-minute attempt to show love and care, but many saw it as too little, too late.
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They questioned why such attention and effort were not shown while Arek was alive and struggling. Critics are now using this case to show how politicians sometimes value appearances more than actual relationships. It’s become a symbol of a wider problem where people who help powerful leaders rise are forgotten once success is achieved.
The public is asking if political relationships are just temporary and if loyalty only matters until the top is reached.
Debate about this issue has spread online and in political circles. Many believe that if Owalo had truly appreciated Arek’s loyalty, he would have helped him in a meaningful way before it was too late.
Even a small job or some financial support could have changed the outcome. Instead, Owalo’s current actions feel performative to many, almost like trying to fix a broken image instead of showing true care.
The sadness in this story is not just about one man’s death it’s about how easily people can be forgotten in politics once their usefulness fades. It has become a wake-up call for leaders to reflect on how they treat the people who walk with them when they have nothing.
Ken Arek’s story brings a bigger question to light about values in political leadership. All over the country, there are aides and close allies who give their time and energy to help leaders succeed.
They do the background work, stay loyal, and often suffer in silence. But when the leaders get into power, many of these people are abandoned, left to face hardship alone. The tragedy of Arek’s death is now seen as a powerful reminder that leadership is not just about titles and power it’s about standing with those who stood with you.
Whether Owalo will address these accusations or not, the damage may already be done. What matters now is whether other leaders will learn from this painful example and treat those behind the scenes with the dignity and support they deserve.
