By Reuben Olita
The Member of County Assembly for Bukhayo North/Walatsi Ward in Nambale Sub-County, Gardy Jakaa, on Thursday demanded accountability from Teso North MP Oku Kaunya over the utilisation of more than Ksh1.3 billion disbursed through the NG-CDF since the 2017/2018 financial year.
Jakaa, a three-term MCA in the Busia County Assembly since the advent of devolution in 2013, declared that he is relocating politically to Teso North Constituency, where he was born and raised, to challenge Kaunya for the parliamentary seat in 2027.
“The burning question is this: I have obtained financial statements from the Controller of Budget indicating that the government has released over Ksh1.3 billion to Teso North NG-CDF,” said Jakaa.
He listed the allocations as follows:
2017/2018 – Ksh98 million
2019/2020 – Ksh109 million
2020/2021 – Ksh137 million
2021/2022 – Ksh137 million
2022/2023 – Ksh152 million
2023/2024 – Ksh188 million
2024/2025 – Ksh188 million
2025/2026 – Ksh202 million
“For nine years in office, what has the MP done with the Ksh1.3 billion because nothing is being felt on the ground?” he posed.
Jakaa further announced that Vincent Mabonga Maruti will serve as his chief campaign strategist in the bid to unseat Kaunya.
“When I take over the leadership of the constituency, he will become my CDF chairman in 2027,” he stated.
Efforts to get get comments from the MP were fruitless by the time of publication.
The MCA was addressing mourners during the burial of Judith Mabonga (53) at uplands area in Malaba. Judith was the wife to Pastor Vincent Mabonga of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and sister-in-law to Angurai North MCA, Isaac Wamalwa.
Malaba North MCA Patrick Omanyala said unity and a common purpose among residents would influence the political direction of the constituency.
He criticised what he termed poor leadership and lack of development in Malaba Municipality.
“Malaba Municipality has no meaningful funds allocation, and virtually all projects have had their contracts terminated. The entire stretch from Kocodrilla to Serengeti is waterlogged because of poor leadership,” said Omanyala.
He added that voters in Busia had previously demonstrated their power by rejecting former Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua in the gubernatorial race and instead electing Paul Otuoma to succeed Sospeter Ojaamong.
Omanyala also faulted officials in the county roads department, accusing them of operating through proxies instead of engaging bona fide contractors.
Malaba South MCA Bonface Mamai issued an ultimatum to the county government to resume road renovations in Malaba North, Malaba Central and Malaba South wards or face possible public action.
“We had an initial contractor who was reassigned to the three Angurai wards, and he completed the road works there. However, the contractor assigned to our roads has suspended the project. Is that fair?” he asked.
He warned that residents might push for termination of the entire process if no action is taken.
“The county government needs leadership that can streamline governance issues. At one point we contemplated introducing an impeachment motion against the governor, but it became impossible because of divide-and-rule politics within the county assembly,” he claimed.
The leaders urged the community to rally behind Arthur Amug Osiya and other like-minded leaders seeking transformative leadership in the region.
Among those present included former Woman Representative Florence Mutua, Woman Rep aspirant Evelyn Ikwii Omasaja, Angurai South MCA Joseph Eseme, nominated MCA Rose Amoit and President SDA West Kenya Conference, Pst Samuel Mbai who presided over the burial service.
