By Reuben Olita
Bukhayo North /Walatsi Member of the County Assembly Gardy Jakaa has hinted his intention to contest for the Teso North Parliamentary seat in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing mourners during the burial of retired teacher Madam Phylis Ikaate Emorut, 66, at Okuleu village, the MCA told the MP who was present to upgrade himself and seek for the gubernatorial position.
” I am up to the task of becoming the 10th MP from the region since independence in 1963 if voters will give me an opportunity
to serve them,” Jakaa,
whose ancestral home is in Rwatama, Teso North Sub County said.
Oduya Oprong was the first MP to serve the region in.1963. His successors included Ojaama Ojaamong, Emoto Ebu, Pancras Otwani, AAA Ekirapa, Sospter Ojaamong, Arthur Odera and now Oku Kaunya who has served for two consecutive terms.
Jakaa is one of the MCAs who has gone for three consecutive terms since the advent of devolution in 2013 to give him the urge to challenge the mighty, including the
incumbent.
However, Hon Kaunya didn’t comment on Jakaa’s pressure to elevate himself to the top seat in the county that is currently held by Dr Paul Nyongesa Otuoma.
Kaunya said Koteko-Malaba road continues to claim lives of innocent people, including Police Constable Nancy Chepchumba.
” As a stopgap measure, the Government through the Kenya National Highway Authority should install bumps from Koteko to Malaba One Stop Border Post as it awaits dualization of the busy road,” he said.
The MP said Okuleu location will benefit from Ksh11.5m, electrification project to be rolled out soon, adding that they have rolled out training
for 100 youths at KHBT Rwatama to undertake drivers courses on graders, rollers, and many others.
Malaba South MCA Boniface Mamai sent condolences to Ward Administrator from his ward, Annet Mwebaze Idewa, for losing her mother in law.
The MCA challenged security organs to institute tough measures on rogue drivers who don’t value the sanctity of human life.
” If a police officer is killed by a runnaway vehicle, what about an ordinary citizen? He wondered.
KNUT Teso Branch chairman Alex Omoit urged panelists, who will engage in the selection of students for the Equity Bank Wings to Fly programme to select the needy and not the rich.
He urged parents to take care of their children, especially during the festive period, calling for banning of matanga dance, which has led to many deaths among youths.
County Executive Committee Member for ICT, Strategic Partneship, UNSDGs, Economic Revatilization, and Digital Economy, Douglas Okiring delivered condolence message from Busia Governor Dr Paul Otuoma who had attended an Environmental Conference in Cairo.
Okiring said it’s said the Malaba road, especially along Ikapolok area, is killing many people, urging the government to add bumps to save more lives.
He said the county government will strive to improve dispensaries and avail drugs to sub county hospitals and dispensaries and employ more medics.
Teso North Oku Kaunya and other leaders during the burial of Madam Phylis Ikaate at Okuleu village.
