A Busia gubernatorial aspirant has dismissed the political alliance between Governor Paul Otuoma and his predecessor Sospeter Ojaamong, saying it is unlikely to influence the outcome of the 2027 election.
Principal Administrative Secretary in the Executive Office of the President Arthur Osiya said the alliance has been cobbled up too late to change the county's political direction.
"We supported Governor Otuoma in 2022 with the hope that he would surpass Ojaamong's development record, but that has not happened," Osiya said.
He spoke during a fundraiser for the roofing of the Independent Presbyterian Church at Osajai on Sunday.
Using a football analogy, Osiya likened the Otuoma-Ojaamong alliance a team attempting a comeback in the closing minutes of a match.
"Otuoma now believes that with this newfound alliance can transform Busia in the last five minutes of a crucial match, hoping Ojaamong will score the winning penalty. That is too late," Osiya said.
Osiya is expected to challenge Otuoma for the county's top seat in next year's general election. Engineer Vincent Sidai has also declared his interest in the seat.
Otuoma and Ojaamong recently announced they will work together ahead of the poll, saying their partnership is intended to foster unity between the Teso and Luhya communities and accelerate development in the county.
Among those who attended the event were Ang'urai MCA Isaac Wamalwa, Malaba North MCA Patrick Omanyala and Busia county UDA chairman Maurice Chetambe.
Osiya urged residents to acquire national identity cards and register as voters ahead of next year's elections.
He also appealed to voters to elect leaders based on their development record rather than inducements.
"Do not vote because you have been given tokens. Vote for leaders based on what they can do for the people," he said.
Osiya praised President William Ruto's administration for initiating development projects in Busia County and said residents should support the President's re-election bid to enable him to complete ongoing projects.
He also called for what he described as a paradigm shift in the county's political leadership to maximise opportunities under the national government.
Chetambe said residents had high expectations when they elected Otuoma in 2022 but claimed those expectations had not been met.
