By Reuben Olita -Busia
Charles Ramaina has officially joined the growing list of aspirants seeking to become the next Member of Parliament for Teso North Constituency in the 2027 General Election.
Ramaina, who currently serves as Director of Administration in the Executive Office of the President, formally declared his candidature on the UDA ticket in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Before joining government, he served as Faculty Director at KCA University headquarters and previously as Campus Manager at KCA University, Amagoro Campus. He also contested the Teso North parliamentary seat in the 2022 General Election on an MDG party ticket.
Other aspirants who have declared interest in the seat, besides the incumbent MP Oku Kaunya, include John Imoite, Prophet Felix Ipara, Ichasi Imwene, Gardy Ijakaa, Humphrey Ekirapa, Charles Chesetto, Gregory Odeke and Lawi Mamai.
In his declaration, Ramaina outlined youth empowerment and the transformation of Teso North as his key priorities if elected.
He holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Business Administration, and a Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Governance from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
A native of Kamolo Division in Malaba South Ward, Teso North Constituency, Ramaina believes he is strategically positioned in the 2027 race, noting that many of the other declared aspirants come from the wider Angurai Division.
Ramaina is also credited with playing a significant role in the growth of KCA University’s Amagoro Campus during his tenure as Campus Manager. His community mobilization efforts reportedly increased student enrolment to nearly 800 within a short period, boosting business activity and cash circulation in Amagoro town.
Following his transfer to KCA University’s Nairobi headquarters, enrolment at the Amagoro campus reportedly declined, leading to its closure a few years later.
Political observers also point to the constituency’s historical leadership patterns. Since independence, most Teso North MPs have come from Angurai Division, including the late Oduya Oprong, A.A.A. Ekirapa and the current MP, Oku Kaunya. Amagoro Division has produced only one MP, the late Achiya Echakara.
Whether regional voting patterns will influence the 2027 parliamentary race remains uncertain, as Teso North voters have often demonstrated an independent voting trend. With several candidates expected to enter the contest, the race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the constituency’s recent political history.
