DNK International By Kennedy Epalat,
The burial of siblings Eng Ken Okomol Barasa, 37, and lawyer Cynthia Barasa, 32, who drowned in the Indian Ocean on October 11, turned into a political battleground as Teso leaders urged gubernatorial aspirant Eng Vincent Sidai to abandon the Linda Mwananchi movement and work with the national government ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Sidai, who intends to challenge Busia Governor Paul Otuoma on a TEP ticket, has declared his support for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as his preferred presidential candidate.
Principal Administrative Secretary in the Executive Office of the President Arthur Amug Osiya, Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, Teso South MP Mary Emaase, Deputy Governor Arthur Odera, County Assembly Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu, Malaba North MCA Patrick Omanyala, County Executive Committee Member Olunga Ekwenye and Teso North parliamentary aspirant Bishop Felix Ipara were among the leaders who weighed in on the political debate.
Emaase and Kaunya urged Sidai to reconsider his position, arguing that cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration could help Teso secure more development projects and government appointments.
Kaunya said he was ready to mediate between Sidai and Osiya, with the involvement of Iteso Cultural Union leader Emormor, to help unite the community behind one gubernatorial candidate.
Sidai, however, defended his political stand, insisting that he was entitled to support the Linda Mwananchi movement and Sifuna. He questioned the benefits Busia had received from supporting the national government and called for strategic negotiations to secure more development opportunities.
“Let me remain there. I have taken my stand. I want to form a credible government,” Sidai said, drawing cheers from mourners.
He challenged Osiya to seek an ambassadorial appointment and declared his readiness to face the contenders at the ballot.
Osiya, who is also seeking the Busia governorship, blamed the county’s development challenges on failures in devolution since 2013.
He accused Governor Otuoma’s administration of poor service delivery, citing alleged shortages of medicines and doctors, delayed salaries and inadequate leadership.
Osiya also announced that President Ruto was expected to visit Busia to advance plans to tarmac the Butula–Nambale–Amukura–Kocholia and Amukura–Machakusi roads.
He challenged Sidai over his record at the Kenya Ports Authority and made allegations concerning the collapse of the Export Processing Zone.
Deputy Governor Odera disputed claims that he lacked a functional office and cited road improvements and the establishment of technical training institutions at Chamasiri and Okame as development gains associated with Ruto’s tenure as Deputy President.
Ochalu, Ekwenye and Omanyala called for unity, while Ipara urged Kaunya to reconcile Sidai and Osiya to prevent political divisions within the Teso community.
Earlier, aspiring ward politicians urged Odera to contest the Teso North parliamentary seat against Kaunya in 2027.
They claimed Malaba South Ward had been neglected and cited the loss of the Kamolo High School bus after Odera left Parliament in 2017.
Although the gathering was convened to mourn the two siblings, the exchanges exposed growing divisions among Teso leaders over political alliances, development priorities and the contest for Busia’s gubernatorial seat.
[Daily News Kenya-International@October 11, 2026]
