DNK International By Our Reporter,Busia.
A recent court order stopping a recruitment exercise by the Busia County Government has reignited debate over the growing use of litigation to stall county development programmes, with critics warning that essential public services are being disrupted.
The order halted interviews aimed at recruiting additional manpower within the county administration,an exercise county officials say was designed to strengthen accountability, improve revenue collection and fast-track development initiatives, including programmes targeting women’s economic empowerment.
Supporters of the recruitment drive argue that Busia faces pressing service delivery gaps, particularly in revenue management, market administration and community development.
“Busia’s lived reality from Budalang’i to Nambale, from Funyula to Butula is one of urgent need,” said Xavier Lugaga, a county coordinator.
“Youth need jobs, markets require proper management, and revenue leakages must be sealed.”
Lugaga criticised what he described as repetitive court actions filed under the banner of activism, saying they were increasingly being used to frustrate lawful governance.
“This is not activism; it is political sabotage,Busia is being held hostage by people who would rather win court orders than see the county work,” he said.
According to critics of the litigation, a small group of activists linked to political opponents of Governor Dr Paul Otuoma is using injunctions to slow down administrative processes after losing at the ballot.
“What was lost electorally is now being pursued through the courts,” Lugaga said, adding that the strategy risks paralysing county operations rather than protecting public interest.
The halted recruitment had been positioned by the county as part of broader reforms aimed at improving corporate governance and enhancing service delivery at the grassroots.
Observers say the growing tension highlights the need for courts to balance the right to litigation with the public interest in uninterrupted governance.
Lugaga called on media houses to scrutinise the motivations behind repeated legal actions affecting county operations, and urged the judiciary to fast-track cases whose effect is primarily to delay implementation of lawful decisions.
Governor Otuoma, who was elected on a development platform, has faced a series of legal challenges since taking office, many of them targeting administrative decisions.
“Busia cannot be developed through injunctions,” Lugaga said.
“It can only be developed through work.”
[DNK-International@February 6,2026]
