Busia leaders push for unity candidate to challenge Governor Otuoma in 2027

Busia County leaders are urging two gubernatorial aspirants to agree on one candidate to challenge incumbent Governor Paul Otuoma in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the burial of Mzee Ayub Nyongesa Odikor in Kooli village, Amagoro, the leaders appealed to Presidential Principal Administrative Secretary Arthur Osiya and former County Executive Engineer Vincent Sidai to strike a deal and present a united front.

They accused the current county administration of mismanagement, citing last month’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) raid that led to the arrest of six senior officials over allegations of embezzling Ksh1.4 billion meant for development projects.

Angurai North MCA Isaac Wamalwa claimed that the Auditor-General’s report showed Ksh5 billion in county funds was unaccounted for, demanding that EACC investigate the whereabouts of the remaining Ksh3.6 billion.

Former Governor Sospeter Ojaamong hinted at plans to convene talks between Osiya and Sidai to produce a single community-backed candidate.

Those supporting the unity push include Busia Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu, MCAs Dalmas Ekilejo (Chakol North), Bonface Mamai (Malaba South), Wamalwa (Angurai North), and Patrick Omanyala (Malaba North). Others are former Woman Representative Florence Mutua, former Deputy Speakers Moses Ote and Lawrence Okaale, and former MCAs Job Oteba (Angurai East), John Oganga (Marachi West), and Julius Ochou (Marachi East).

The leaders called on residents to elect leaders based on competence rather than political party affiliation, stressing the need for a governor who can unite the county.

However, both Osiya and Sidai rejected calls to drop their bids.

Osiya said he remains determined to become Busia’s third governor, accusing Otuoma’s administration of corruption, poor service delivery, delayed salaries, lack of farm inputs, and non-remittance of statutory deductions.

He vowed to assemble a new team to salvage Busia from maladministration.

On his part, Sidai said he is committed to redeeming Busia from the rot it is in, insisting the governor’s post should go to a leader with proven credentials regardless of ethnicity.