Waluke’s call to move Changara division reckless – Teso North MP

A signpost at Tinga market indicating Changara Divisional headquarters in Teso North /IMAGE /HILTON OTENYO

Teso North MP Oku Kaunya has criticised his Sirisia counterpart John Waluke over calls to move Changara from Teso North in Busia county to Sirisia in Bungoma county.

Kaunya, speaking as the Teso community spokesman, described Waluke’s remarks as “reckless and misleading”.

 He noted that the Changara division was legally created after being hived off from Angurai division through proper administrative and legal procedures.

“It is surprising that Waluke, fully aware of this background, would present contrary information to Parliament and the public. Such remarks risk creating tensions and undermining the peaceful coexistence of communities along the Teso North–Sirisia border, a harmony that has existed since independence,” Kaunya said.

He added that leaders have a duty to promote unity and development, and urged Waluke to publicly apologise and formally retract his statements.

On February 12, 2026, Waluke told Parliament that Changara division should be degazetted and transferred to Bungoma county. Changara is currently a gazetted administrative division in Teso North, alongside Amagoro, Ang’urai and Komol divisions.

In response, current and former MCAs from Teso North invited the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to investigate Waluke, terming his assertions a threat to the Teso community.

In a statement read by Angurai East MCA David Parapara, the leaders said Changara division was established by the 1962 Regional Boundaries and Constituencies Delimitation Commission, chaired by Sir Stafford Sutton, Sir John Fletcher and W.C.S. Corry.

 It was gazetted under Constituency Paper No. 1921 of December 28, 1962.

“Through these recommendations, the Iteso were partially relieved from domination by the larger Luhya community. We caution the MP that Tesos now demand their boundaries be respected as per the report,” Parapara said.

He added, “It is unfortunate for an elected leader, whose role should be to promote peace among neighbours who have long coexisted and intermarried, to start beating the drums of war.”

Changara division was included in the Teso constituency upon its creation, later renamed Elgon West and subsequently known as Teso North, cementing its legal and historical status within Busia county.