"Busia Majority Leader's Remarks on Ojaamong Spark Outrage in Butula"

 

Remarks by Busia County Assembly Majority Leader Hon Josephat Wandera targeting the first Busia governor, H.E Sospeter Ojaamong, during the burial service of his second deputy, Moses Mulomi Okhoba, 70, at Butula Vocational Training Centre on Friday earned the wrath of mourners who heckled him.

Before the remarks that infuriated the mourners, Wandera, who is also the Elugulu Ward MCA, had urged Busians to continue giving the Governor Dr Paul Otuoma advice to direct him to deliver good service.

 " Abusive language and empty rhetoric, let's deviate from that. Let's wait until 2027 before you start talking about succession politics," he said.

Then came what annoyed the mourners: " As first governor of Busia, you should be our technical advisor, the remarks you made during a burial in Teso North recently before you left hurriedly was not good. Mourners shouted down the majority Leader, telling him to respect the county's first governor, forcing him to cut short his speech and ushered in speaker, Fredrick Odilo."

In response, Ojaamong said people had been sent to turnish his reputation." My mother and my uncles who brought me up are luhyas, and it will be foolhardy for me to criticise their origin."

 

Ojaamong Said he worked very closely with Mulomi, describing him as a professional, a man who united people and a gentleman, " adding that he feared Kizito Wangalwa over fears he might stage a"coup".

Busia Governor Dr Paul Otuoma described Mulomi, whom he first knew in 1997, as a gentleman , noting that it's always good to honour your own people, adding that nobody can honour you.

ROOTS Party Leader George Wajackoya said he has known the Mulomi family when he was the Kasarani Officer Commanding Station.

Butula Member of Parliament Joseph Oyula told some leaders not to use Butula as a battleground for politics, urging all leaders to make sure they remain peaceful. 

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah said Busia has a senator despite some sceptics, describing Mulomi as a respectful person with his faith.

Former Busia Women rep Florence Mutua said the gap Mulomi left can't be replaced, adding that they have lost a professor and a polite person who has a lot to learn from his death.

" I thank the first Busia Governor H.E Sospeter Ojaamong for making Mulomi the second deputy governor of Busia county between 2017- 2022 from H.E Kizito Wangalwa, noting that it was a kind gesture after the people of Butula had rejected him when he sought MP seat.

First Busia Speaker Bernard Wamalwa said he knew Mulomi in Nairobi in 1992, describing him as respectful, intelligent, and known both locally and internationally

 Kizito Wangalwa said Mulomi served very well, adding that he never fought him during his five year tenure as H.E Ojaamong's second in charge.

The deceased widow retired chief principal Emily Were Okhoba said her husband had a week before his death complained of discomfort in the chest and had promised to visit a doctor after the meeting in Naivasha; but he collapsed and died after reaching Nakuru.

" The postmortem carried out confirmed he died of heart attack. Hellen described her husband as an extremely humble person.I thank all leaders for giving my husband a befitting send-off he deserved by keeping politics out of his burial service," she said.

Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa described the late Mulomi as truthful, gentleman with no abusive politics, adding that Mulomi was a member of his party in the run up to the 2027 elections.

" I am sorry, DAPK sacrificed the seat for Azimio to secure it upon request of ODM party leader Raila Odinga. We had no option but to support Dr. Paul Otuoma fully. I urge Amarachi to give us another candidate in 2027

In his sermon, based on the first letter of John and Mathew, Bishop Mark Kadima of the Bungoma Diocese said hope will not deceive us.

" Be in the hope in the Lord. The Lord is always in charge. We always belong to the Lord. Don't give up. Your hard work is bringing joys in people's lives," he said.

Other leaders who attended the burial service included Busia Deputy Governor H.E Arthur Odera, the 2022 gubernatorial aspirant Dan Mogoria, former first lady Judy Ojaamong, and UDA national vice chairman Kevin Lunami and Funyula MP Dr Oundo Mudenyo, and current CECs and Chief Officers.

:

February 14, 2025