By REUBEN OLITA
May 28, 2026| A fierce political storm is brewing in Busia County after residents of Amagoro overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to construct the governor’s official residence in Nasewa, Matayos Sub-County, terming the move a deliberate attempt to sideline the public.
During a public participation forum on the Busia County 2026/2027 budget at KNUT Hall on Wednesday, residents led by Amagoro Welfare Association Chairman Seferio Ikapolok vowed to oppose any plan to move the governor’s residence away from the county headquarters.
“The governor is a public officer who should be easily accessible to residents. Why should his residence be moved miles away from the county headquarters? That is unacceptable and we shall resist it in totality,” Ikapolok declared.
The proposed Ksh10 billion budget, fronted by Governor Paul Otuoma’s administration as it gears up for the 2027 re-election campaigns, comprises Ksh8 billion equitable share from the national government, Ksh800 million from own-source revenue, and the remainder from grants.
Budget Committee Chairman John Ouma Ogochi defended the budget, noting that 30 percent has been allocated to development while 70 percent goes to recurrent expenditure and emoluments. He added that Ksh600 million has been set aside to clear pending bills accumulated to about Ksh5 billion since 2015.
However, residents trained their guns on the proposed residence, with many accusing the county of misplaced priorities. Veteran journalist Kennedy Epalat criticized the committee for poor publicity of the meeting, noting that even the Teso North Deputy County Commissioner was unaware of the event.
Other residents raised concerns over stalled projects, including the Simbachai cassava factory, Ikapolok fruit juice plant, and incomplete Aleles and Amoni dispensaries, which have remained untouched since 2017.
The budget has increased ward-based programme funds to Ksh875 million—Ksh25 million per ward—up from Ksh8 million in 2023. Political observers see the move as an attempt by Governor Otuoma to consolidate support ahead of 2027, but Amagoro residents remain unmoved. “Not even a penny for that residence in Nasewa,” Ikapolok warned.