By Reuben Olita -Busia
Nairobi City Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok has threatened to enter the Busia County gubernatorial race if Principal Administrative Secretary in the Executive Office of the President Arthur Amug Osiya and engineer Vincent Sidai fail to agree on who between them should challenge incumbent Governor Dr Paul Otuoma in 2027.
Imwatok accused the two aspirants of delaying consensus talks, warning that continued “ping-pong politics” could force him to plunge into the contest.
“Sidai and Osiya are taking too long to agree on who should pave way for the other to face Governor Otuoma, who will be seeking his second and final term. If this stalemate persists, I will have no option but to force myself into the bruising contest,” Imwatok said.
He further told Engineer Sidai that one could not effectively lead Busia County if “his house is not in order.”
Responding to the claims, Sidai said there was no problem engaging other leaders in consultations, confirming that he had held talks with both Osiya and Governor Otuoma in Busia. However, he admitted that his meeting with the governor did not go down well with some residents, who viewed it as a betrayal.
“Let us be brothers and respect each other without creating enmity. I will still talk to Osiya, even if it means fighting for one position,” Sidai said.
On his part, Osiya dismissed claims that he was only eyeing a Teso-centric seat, insisting that his ambition was to lead the entire county.
“I have not stood to be a Teso governor but Busia governor. We shall settle Busia votes here, not in Nairobi. Elections will not be decided by swords or clubs but by service delivery,” Osiya said, adding that he was ready to face Otuoma politically.
The PAS also took a swipe at Sidai, questioning why he allegedly holds late-night meetings with Governor Otuoma, and decrying poor service delivery in the county.
“We are tired. There are no roads, hospitals lack equipment, and youths are jobless. Young people should acquire identity cards and take their votes seriously. Your numbers are many,” he said.
Osiya announced that in recognition of Kakapel hosting annual Iteso Cultural Day celebrations, he would install solar equipment worth KSh1 million at Kakapel Comprehensive School, bringing the total number of solar-powered comprehensive schools he has supported across the county to 39.
He also challenged Teso North MP Oku Kaunya to prepare for accountability after serving for 10 years by 2027, saying voters would then decide whether to grant him another term. Osiya recalled the 2013 General Election, terming it a “wise decision” by the Iteso community for electing MPs aligned to the government.
Meanwhile, the coronation of MP Kaunya as the Iteso spokesperson in Kenya drew mixed reactions, with Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) leader Emormor urging him to justify the role by securing an audience between the Iteso community and the President.
“In Uganda, Vice President Jessica Alupo and Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, both from the Iteso community, emerged unopposed after NRM primaries. What is happening there should also happen here in Teso, Kenya,” Emormor said.
Aspirant for the Teso North parliamentary seat Felix Ipara said Kaunya’s new role effectively renders the MP seat politically vulnerable, giving him confidence of clinching it in 2027.
Addressing rising political tensions, MP Kaunya warned politicians against using youths as goons and hecklers during public meetings, saying the practice threatens peace and could backfire at the ballot.
“Using intoxicated youths to cause chaos does not translate into votes. When sober, these same youths will vote for leaders who address their real problems,” Kaunya cautioned, urging aspirants to focus on job creation and education instead.
MCAs Isaac Wamalwa and Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu questioned the whereabouts of KSh45 million allocated for the completion of the Kakapel Cultural Centre since the 2022/2023 financial year.
Others present included MCAs David Parapara, Joseph Eseme, Bonface Mamai, Rose Amoit, Monica Mungalla, Concepta Omondi, and Beatrice Opwapo.
