By Reuben Olita -Busia
Busia gubernatorial aspirant Eng. Vincent Sidai has alleged a political scheme within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aimed at locking out fellow aspirant Arthur Osiya from the 2027 gubernatorial contest.
Sidaiโs claims appear to reinforce growing speculation that incumbent Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma is the preferred candidate under the so-called โbroad-based governmentโ arrangement between President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
According to Sidai, the informal understanding was that UDA would not field candidates in positions held by ODM and vice versaโeffectively backing a single candidate in key races.
Sidai Dismisses Calls to Step Down
His remarks follow calls by Bukhayo North/Walatsi MCA Gardy Jakaa, an ally of Osiya, urging the two Teso-region aspirants to agree on one candidate to face Otuoma.
Sidai dismissed the proposal, questioning Jakaaโs political judgment:
โIn 2013, I contested for governor and lost. Even if I believed it was stolen, I conceded.
Leadership requires maturity.โ
He argued that recent political eventsโincluding President Rutoโs visits to Busia and ODMโs National Delegates Conferenceโpoint to Otuoma as the already favoured candidate.
โWherever the President goes, it is Otuoma beside him. These people have already decided. Let me face him directly at the poll,โ Sidai stated.
He further urged Osiya to step aside:
โI have no grudge with my brother Osiya, but I ask him not to compete.
The signs are clearโOtuoma is their choice.โ
Lay Canon Sidai said the only medicine for Otuoma is Sidai and nobody else. To achieve this we should I must be in the ballot or we perish as a county due to โpoor leadership.โ So nobody should come here and suggest that we agree on a compromise candidate.
โ In 2022 three people stood for the gubernatorial seat- one teso and two luhyas. If Busia was a tribal county, why didnโt Daniel Mogoria emerge victorious? You voted for Otuoma to confirm that we as residents of Busia are not tribalists.
We elect a person irrespective of his or her tribe, religion or political affiliations. Otuoma is the problem because of his poor leadership,โ Eng Sidai stated.
โSidai Mashinaniโ Campaign Strategy
Sidai announced a grassroots campaign strategy dubbed โSidai Mashinani,โ focusing on door-to-door engagement across all eight sub-counties and 35 wards in Busia.
โBy December, I will have visited every ward. My politics will be people-centeredโdirect interaction with households,โ he said.
He also emphasized peaceful campaigns and unity:
โLet us not divide ourselves. All votes are for Sidai. We must remain one people.โ
Leaders Clash at Burial Ceremony
The political exchanges occurred during the burial of Mama Imelda Nafula Orodi (85) in Amagoro, Teso North.
MCA Jakaa maintained that neither Sidai nor Osiya has sufficient experience for the gubernatorial seat and insisted on a unified candidate.
Meanwhile, Malaba Central MCA and Deputy Speaker Ronal Ochalu defended his leadership amid chants of โWantamโ from sections of mourners:
โI cannot be threatened. Wait for 2027 if you want to remove me from office,โ he said, alleging attempts by rivals to intimidate him using hired youths.
Church Rebukes Political Intolerance
Presiding over the service, Bishop Pius Idewa of Maranatha Church Amagoro criticized rising political hostility, especially among youth:
โIt is embarrassing to parents when children insult leaders in church and public functions.
Respect for leadership and human dignity must prevail.โ
He also dismissed alleged political realignments and urged leaders to uphold moral values and unity.
โ I have a clan in this family. I oversee Malaba headquarters and Amagoro Church for two months now. Mama Imelda has been sick, but God had his own reason.
Others in attendance included immediate Anglican Church of Kenya Katakwa Diocese Bishop John Okude, his position aspirant, and Amagoro Archdeacon, Isabella Inyele Imoh, former area MCA Ishmael Orodi, leading cotton farmer and founder of Ikaruok Welfare Association Barnabas Nyapara, former Malaba Town Council Chairman John Okiring, former Angurai East MCA Joab Oteba, pastors fellowship chairman Teso Dennis Etyang and Amagoro Location Chief Joel Omachar.
Other Political Signals
Teso North MP aspirant Gregory Odeke Epus termed early campaign activities premature:
โLet amateurs engage in drama. Serious leaders understand timing,โ he said.
Background
Mama Orodi, who had battled hypertension and stomach ulcers for over a decade, was laid to rest at her home in Kongโor village, Amagoro.
Imeldaโs Church caretaker Eva Ochatas went down memory lane, noting how Imelda started her spiritual journey with the church in 2001.
She also credited the late for assisting in co-financing the Migori National Conference, adding that her demise is a big void to the church.
ย
