By Reuben Olita
Former Busia gubernatorial aspirant Daniel Mogoria has joined growing opposition to the proposed construction of the Governor’s official residence at Nasewa in Matayos Sub-County, arguing that the project raises legal, administrative, and economic concerns.
In a statement, Mogoria said residents and taxpayers of Busia County support the provision of dignified official facilities for the Governor but questioned the wisdom of locating the residence away from Busia town, the legally recognized headquarters of the county.
According to Mogoria, Section 6A of the County Governments Act provides that a county headquarters cannot be altered without due legal processes, including approval by the County Assembly, public participation, and parliamentary approval.
He warned that establishing a Governor’s residence far from Busia town could create fears of a gradual shift of county executive functions from the designated headquarters.
Mogoria further questioned the county government’s priorities, asking why plans for a Governor’s residence were being advanced when key administrative infrastructure remains incomplete.
“Where is the Governor’s office?” he posed, arguing that the county should first prioritize constructing and fully equipping a permanent Governor’s office within the county headquarters before investing in an official residence elsewhere.
The former gubernatorial candidate also expressed concern over the expansion of county directorates under Governor Dr. Paul Nyongesa Otuoma’s administration.
His concerns emerged during public participation forums on the proposed 2026/2027 Budget organized by the Busia County Assembly Budget Committee, where committee clerk Alphonce Okwara announced budget allocations to 17 directorates.
The directorates include Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Blue Economy and Agribusiness; Trade, Investments, Industrialization, Cooperatives, Small and Micro Enterprises; Education and Skills Development; County Treasury and Economic Planning; Youth, Sports, Culture, Gender, Creative Arts and Social Services; Transport, Roads and Public Works; Lands, Housing and Urban Development; Water, Environment, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Climate Change; Health Services and Sanitation; County Public Service Board; Governorship; County Law Office; Strategic Partnerships and Digital Economy; and the County Assembly.
Mogoria noted that during the administration of former Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, which ran from 2013 to 2022, the county operated with only 12 directorates.
He argued that the increase in the number of directorates has contributed to the rising county wage bill, which experts estimate has climbed to about 45 percent of the county’s expenditure.
Mogoria maintained that public resources should be directed toward development projects and service delivery rather than expanding administrative structures that place additional pressure on county finances.
He called on the county government and the County Assembly to reconsider the proposed Governor’s residence project and review the growing administrative structure to ensure prudent use of public funds and adherence to the law.
