The Kenya Kwanza administration has been urged to consider the Iteso community in key government appointments as a way of reciprocating their support for President William Ruto.
Busia County gubernatorial aspirant Eng. Vincent Sidai made the appeal while addressing UDA National Chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, saying that despite the community’s support for the government, only a section of leaders from the Nyanza region has benefited from key appointments.
Eng. Sidai urged Governor Mbarire to relay the concerns of the Iteso community to President Ruto, noting that the community feels sidelined despite backing the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He also took a swipe at his political rival, Arthur Osiya, accusing him of falsely claiming credit for government projects and relief food distributed in parts of Busia County. Sidai argued that such actions mislead wananchi and deny the government recognition for its initiatives.
“The people should be told the truth—that the President has sent assistance. When individuals claim personal credit for government support, wananchi are misled into believing that without those individuals, nothing can be done,” said Sidai.
He cited examples including relief food, police recruitment, and the installation of solar power in schools and markets, claiming that all were government projects wrongly being attributed to individuals.
“Even when relief food is clearly labelled ‘Government of Kenya,’ someone still comes and tells people, ‘I brought you food.’ In such a case, who will vote for the President?” he posed.
Sidai further accused Busia Governor Paul Otuoma of incompetence and vowed to improve governance if elected in 2027. He appealed to the President, through the UDA chairperson, to stay out of Busia County politics and allow aspirants to compete freely.
He was speaking at Osuret Village in Teso South Constituency during the burial of Mzee John Idewa Enaga (78), who died after a long illness. The deceased was an uncle to Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire’s husband, Dennis Apaa.
Governor Mbarire eulogized Mzee Enaga as a principled man who enjoyed political discussions and pledged to invite President Ruto to Teso to listen to the people’s concerns.
Mzee Enaga’s brother, Stephen Enaga, described him as a truthful and scandal-free man who held the family together following their father’s death in 1992.
Former Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong accused Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) of failing residents, alleging that Sh5.2 billion from the 2022/2023 financial year was misappropriated, according to an audit referenced by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah. He faulted MCAs for failing to exercise proper oversight and accused Governor Otuoma of making empty promises at funerals.
Earlier, Bukhayo North/Walatsi MCA Gardy Jakaa urged voters to reject all MCAs from the 3rd Assembly, saying they had failed to impeach County Executive Committee Members, despite sufficient grounds.
Malaba South MCA Boniface Mamai acknowledged the difficulties in impeaching the governor and CECs, saying only Eng. Vincent Sidai or Speaker Frederick Odilo could resolve the county’s governance challenges.
Mzee John Idewa Enaga is survived by two widows, three children, and ten grandchildren.
