By REUBEN OLITA
May 16, 2026| At the burial of Peter Zephson Imoh, a former campaign aide to Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, his widow stated that her husband had repeatedly asked her to seek employment from the county government in the days leading up to his sudden death on April 23, 2026.
Speaking at the funeral held at Ateukut B Village, Akwobait Sub-location, Changara Location, Busia County, on Friday, Grace Chelagat Imoh said her husband raised the request on multiple occasions.
According to Grace, on April 19, after returning from church, Peter Imoh told her: “Tomorrow Monday go to the governor and let him give you a job. I campaigned for the governor 100 per cent.” She said he continued reminding her over the following two days, asking whether she had personally visited the governor.
Grace added that her husband had delivered support for Governor Otuoma in Angurai East Ward during the 2022 elections. She requested that county leaders take note of his contribution. “I want this message to reach the governor. CECM Olunga Paul Ekwenye, you are representing the governor here. Kindly deliver this message to him,” she said.
She also asked her co-wives—Margaret, Anna Nzilani Maithya, Florence Amoding, and Adelaide Nekesa Imoh—to return to the family home, stating there was sufficient land for cultivation.
In response, Busia County Executive Committee Member for Sports, Culture, Youth, Gender and Social Protection, Olunga Paul Ekwenye, directed Governor Otuoma’s liaison officer George Otungu Okaal to arrange for Grace to meet the governor during the Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1 at Kopiya Comprehensive School in Changara Location.
West Pokot Member of County Assembly Josephine Cheprum, who said she lived in the same estate as the couple between 1993 and 1998, urged the Busia County Government to offer Grace employment to help support the nine children left by the deceased. She also encouraged her to join the Mothers’ Union of the Anglican Church of Kenya.
According to family members, on the morning of April 23, Peter Imoh woke up feeling well but later complained of sharp chest pains while brushing his teeth. He was taken to Kolanya Health Centre, where he received treatment for an upper respiratory tract infection. After returning home and taking medication, he reportedly began gasping for air and collapsed. Efforts by his wife to perform CPR were unsuccessful.
Peter Imoh had a career in public service. He joined the Kenya Navy in 1973, where he participated in athletics specializing in the 100 metres and long jump, before transferring to the Kenya Air Force in 1976. He served at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, Moi Air Base in Eastleigh, Nairobi, and at the Department of Defence headquarters. He also worked as a personal assistant to an Air Force commander and rose to the rank of sergeant before leaving the military in 1982. He later joined the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) as an accounts manager, serving in Nairobi, Lodwar, Malaba, and Webuye, before resigning to engage in farming.
Grace’s brother, East African Court of Justice Judge and Chancellor of the Diocese of Sebei in Eastern Uganda, Barshaki Cheborion, advised mourners to follow Christian teachings and said the church discourages polygamous marriages.
Former Busia gubernatorial aspirant Daniel Mogoria told mourners that politicians interested in the Busia governorship—including Arthur Osiya, Eng. Vincent Sidai, and Governor Otuoma—should continue seeking support peacefully. He noted that his National Agenda party remains active. In response, CECM Ekwenye suggested Mogoria wait until 2032, stating that Governor Otuoma still deserved time to complete a possible second term.
Angurai East Member of County Assembly David Parapara Karani said expansion of Changara Dispensary had stalled due to an accumulated debt of KSh 2.5 million. He later stated that the actual debt was KSh 1.95 million, which had since been paid, and that the budget process was ongoing.
Angurai South Ward MCA aspirant Grace Olita Omasete thanked the late Imoh for supporting his wife during her 2017 bid for the Woman Representative seat.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Angurai East chairman Noah Chemasuet said the party remains strong in the area.
Peter Imoh is survived by nine children, including Nyeri County AP Commander Dennis Otero. He was also an uncle to KBC presenter Dorah Manya.
The service was presided over by Kabkara ACK Archdeacon Ben Oriama, who quoted Matthew 5:1-10 and said that Christians harvest what they plant, urging congregants to be content with their lives.