By Reuben Olita -Busia
An aspirant for the Busia Woman Representative seat in the 2027 General Election, Evalyne Ikwii Omasaja, has said the Teso community deserves a chance to occupy the affirmative action seat before the position completes its final elective cycle.
Speaking on Thursday during the burial of Judith Mabonga, 53, in Malaba, Ikwii argued that the Woman Rep seat should have rotated fairly between the county’s major communities during its 20-year lifespan.
“Busia has seven sub-counties with two major communities, the Iteso and the Luhya. Butula enjoyed the seat for 10 years, while Matayos has had it for five years. We are now entering the last five years of the affirmative action seat, and this is the opportunity for the Teso community to produce the next Woman Representative,” she said.
Ikwii described herself as a youthful, energetic and visionary leader capable of steering Busia towards transformative leadership.
“Busia County is ripe for real leadership. Young, energetic and visionary. Evalyne Ikwii Omasaja is the woman to watch. She has the heart to bring change in Busia,” she stated.
The accountant by profession said her experience in both private and public sectors places her in a better position to serve residents effectively.
“I bring to the office of the Woman Representative a professional and technocrat ready to serve,” she added.
She further cautioned against recycling leaders, saying the youth should now be given a chance to lead.
“Busia County is not ready to recycle leaders. The youth are coming up day by day and we can no longer continue bringing back leaders who have already served. They have nothing new to offer the people of Busia,” Ikwii said.
Her remarks appeared to target former Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua, who immediately responded by defending her political ambitions.
“The Woman Rep seat is not reserved for anybody. I also have a democratic right to seek the seat in 2027,” Mutua retorted.
The exchange between the two leaders signals an early political showdown as the race for the Busia Woman Rep seat gains momentum, with several other aspirants also expressing interest.
Mutua first won the seat in 2013 and retained it in 2017 before unsuccessfully vying for the Busia gubernatorial seat in 2022, losing to Governor Paul Otuoma. Catherine Omanyo currently serves as the Busia Woman Representative.
