By Reuben Olita -Busia
Principal Administrative Secretary in the Executive Office of the President Arthur Amug Osiya and Engineer Vincent Esyepet Sidai have downplayed calls for talks aimed at finding a compromise candidate to face incumbent Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma.
Those who implored upon the two gubernatorial contestants in 2027 elections to allow only one of them face Otuoma, included Busia County Assembly Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu, Members of the County Assembly Dalmas Ekilejo ( Chakol North), Bonface Mamai ( Malaba South), Isaac Wamalwa ( Angurai North), Patrick Omanyala ( Malaba North) and former Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong.
Others were former Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua, former Deputy Speakers Moses Ote, Lawrence Okaale, and former MCAs Job Oteba (Angurai East), John Oganga( Marachi West), and Julius Ochou ( Marachi East).
Speaking during the burial service of Mzee Ayub Nyongesa Odikor, 96, at Kooli village in Amagoro Sub-location, presided over by Bishop John Okude of ACK Katakwa Diocese, the leaders said what Busia needs is a person who can unite all County residents.
” We need a leader to unite all communities so that Busia County can remain one. We shall also oppose those who support parties instead of individuals,” they said.
PAS Osiya said he will not relent in his pursuit to become the third governor of Busia County, putting the record straight that there is no Teso County but Busia county, adding that problems bedevilling Busia County is service deliver with no seeds, fertiliser, delayed salaries and non-remittance of statutory deductions.
” I have put adequate foundation in place, and there is no turning back. Let’s meet at the ballot. No talks. Lazy men have chatter boxes. I have a list of my agenda, noting that the final is what he wants to counter Otuoma’s development record,” he said.
Osiya alluded that he was looking for a new team to salvage Busia from maladministration from the Otuoma’s administration.
Eng Sidai said they need a leader and not that Tesos want to take over Busia county, adding that a leader from the Teso region wanting to take over county leadership is a bitter to swallow for some people
” I want to ensure we are a three-team army for gubernatorial contest out of the four that have so far declared their interest in the coveted seat,” Sidai said.
To show his close working relationship with Busia County speaker and gubernatorial aspirant Dr. Fredrick Odilo, Eng Sidai said he will attend Odilo’s 7s rugby tournament tomorrow Saturday in Nambale , a move that saw Osiya claim the two were working together to foil his bid.
” I left the gubernatorial position in 2017 to Sospeter Ojaamong, who is running with Osiya, although today he changed tacts and supported the bid for the two of us to enter into amicable talks,” he said.
He added:” I want the governorship position. I am now jobless, and I want to join Former Public and Private Sector Staff (FOPPS) SACCO. In the meantime, give me the governorship position.”
” Osiya is a very close friend of mine. Ochalu talked nicely about why we should not wash our dirty linen in public,” he said, adding that MCAs should be removed from discussing it and Omanyala’s positive comment on extremists of the two contestants be removed.
Ojaamong said that talks have been initiated to bring the two on the negotiating table, adding that Busia is greater than an individual.
Hon Isaac Wamalwa told mourners that the Auditor General’s report revealed that Ksh 5 billion in Busia County had not been accounted for. Now that six top officials have been arrested by EACC over Ksh1.4b, he wondered where the balance of Ksh3.6b is lying.
