Teso,
Sunday, May 5, 2024
KNA by Absalom Namwalo
The Principal Administrative Secretary Executive Office of the President Arthur A. Osia, on Saturday declared he would contest for the Busia county gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General elections.
Osia made the remarks at Chelelemuk Catholic Parish in Angurai Division during a funds drive in aid of construction of a modern church that raised Sh7.9million with President William Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet as the Chief Guest.
Osia recalled his sentiments on December 26th, 2023, when he told Members of the County Assembly, Members of Parliament, and the governor to do their work until 2027 when he would look at his papers before joining the race on a UDA ticket.
He told his critics to stop vilifying him, former Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, and Teso South Member of Parliament Mary Emaase for their push to have Teso residents join President Ruto’s government in troops.
Ojaamong, in his speech, reiterated his resolve to support President Ruto’s administration warning the Iteso community against remaining in places they once lived (emeje), which he termed as ‘a den for snakes and devils’.
During Ang’orom Ward declaration recently, Eng. Vincent Sidai said he would be in the race for the governorship assuring his voters across the county that nothing would block him from becoming the county’s third governor in 2027.
Bukhayo North/Walatsi Member of the County Assembly Gardy Jakaa was the first to back Osia’s candidature before he put the record straight today, thus putting the two Teso sons to battle each other in a seesaw encounter.
While urging Osia to challenge Otuoma, Jakaa said Sidai chickened out in 2017 elections and was again conspicuously absent in the ring in 2022 to confirm that he is a person the Iteso community cannot bank their hopes on in 2027.
“Sidai anatosha, Osia anatosha. (Sidai is fit for the job, Osia is fit for the job). I will urge one of them to step down to give the region a realistic chance to recapture the seat from the incumbent,” he noted.
The move comes days after majority of Busia residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the current county leadership which has failed in development with health department being at ICU.
Courtesy; KNA