A section of Busia County leaders is rallying behind calls for a single opposition candidate to take on incumbent Governor Paul Otuoma in the 2027 general elections. The leaders want Presidential Principal Administrative Secretary Arthur Osiya and former County Executive Engineer Vincent Sidai to agree on one flagbearer, arguing that a united front would increase their chances of unseating Otuoma.
Speaking during the burial of Mzee Ayub Nyongesa Odikor in Kooli village, Amagoro, the leaders accused the current county administration of massive mismanagement. They cited last month’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) raid, which saw six senior officials arrested over allegations of embezzling Ksh1.4 billion meant for development projects.
Angurai North MCA Isaac Wamalwa added that the Auditor-General’s report revealed Ksh5 billion in county funds was unaccounted for, urging EACC to trace the remaining Ksh3.6 billion.
Former Governor Sospeter Ojaamong hinted at plans to convene negotiations between Osiya and Sidai to produce a single, community-backed gubernatorial candidate. “We must present one strong candidate to ensure Busia gets the leadership it deserves,” Ojaamong said.
Support for the unity push has come from Busia Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu, MCAs Dalmas Ekilejo (Chakol North), Bonface Mamai (Malaba South), Wamalwa (Angurai North), and Patrick Omanyala (Malaba North). 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) have also backed the idea.
The leaders urged residents to elect leaders based on competence rather than political party affiliation, stressing the need for a governor capable of uniting the county and steering it towards development.
However, both Osiya and Sidai dismissed calls to step down. Osiya maintained he is determined to become Busia’s third governor, accusing Otuoma’s administration of corruption, poor service delivery, salary delays, lack of farm inputs, and failure to remit statutory deductions.
Sidai, on the other hand, said he remains committed to redeeming Busia from what he described as “the current rot,” insisting the position should go to a leader with proven credentials regardless of ethnicity.
With both aspirants standing firm, Busia’s 2027 gubernatorial race is shaping up to be a high-stakes political battle.
