By REUBEN OLITA
October 11, 2026| What was meant to be a solemn farewell for two siblings who drowned in the Indian Ocean turned into a fierce political battleground on [date], as eight Teso leaders publicly confronted Eng Vincent Sidai over his decision to join the Linda Mwananchi movement.
The burial of Eng Ken Okomol Barasa, 37, and his sister, lawyer Cynthia Barasa, 32, who drowned on October 11, 2026, drew hundreds of mourners. But grief soon gave way to political theatre as leaders seized the sombre occasion to advance their positions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Sidai, who has declared his intention to contest the Busia gubernatorial seat on a TEP ticket with Edwin Sifuna as his preferred presidential candidate, found himself isolated as speaker after speaker urged him to reconsider his political alignment and work with the national government.
Among those who challenged him were Arthur Amug Osiya, the President’s political advisor; Teso North MP Oku Kaunya; Teso South MP Mary Emaase; Busia Deputy Governor Arthur Odera; Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu; Malaba North MCA Patrick Omanyala; County Executive Committee Member for Culture and Sports Olunga Ekwenye; and Teso North gubernatorial aspirant Bishop Felix Ipara.
Sidai Defends His Stand
Sidai was the first to address the mourners, firmly defending his political position and insisting he was entitled to pursue his preferred path.
“Kila mchongoma uvuta kwake. Give everybody a chance to pull a rope on his side. I am in Linda Mwananchi. I am with Sifuna. Let me remain there. I have taken my stand. I want to form a credible government,” he said.
He recalled working with Osiya in the Azimio coalition during the 2022 General Election, arguing that political alliances should be judged by the benefits they deliver to their supporters.
Sidai questioned the political returns Busia County had received from its support for President William Ruto and called for more strategic negotiations to secure national government appointments and development projects for the region. He defended Osiya’s appointment, saying it was based on experience rather than the reasons advanced by his critics.
He also cited Kakamega’s Level Six hospital as an example of the development aspirations he wanted Busia to pursue, and declared he was prepared to take on Governor Paul Otuoma politically.
“Otuoma is believed to have already secured a ticket. Give Osiya an ambassadorial appointment. I am tested. This time, I am vigilant. Let’s meet ahead,” he said.
Osiya Blames Otuoma for Busia’s Woes
Osiya, who spoke after Sidai, blamed Busia’s challenges on what he described as persistent failures in devolution since 2013. He said he was seeking the governorship to address the issues affecting residents and claimed he would win by 80 per cent if elections were held today.
“We don’t want jokes with the lives of Busia residents. Otuoma, you have failed our people and disappointed them. No drugs, no doctors, and lack of respect and a functional office,” Osiya said.
He called for a stronger working relationship between the county and national governments, arguing that cooperation would accelerate development. Osiya announced that President Ruto was expected to visit Busia to advance plans for tarmacking the Butula–Nambale–Amukura–Kocholia and Amukura–Machakusi roads.
He also questioned Sidai’s record during his tenure as General Manager at the Kenya Ports Authority and accused Sidai, Speaker Frederick Odilo and Otwani of allegedly contributing to the collapse of the Export Processing Zone — claims that were not independently established during the burial proceedings.
Emaase Urges Sidai to Abandon Opposition Politics
Teso South MP Mary Emaase urged Sidai to reconsider his political direction, citing her own experience in national politics. She described herself as the first URP/UDA MP from Western Kenya and said she wanted to extend her influence to county leadership.
“I play national league and would also want to play county league. Unity is a must. Politics is being planned,” Emaase said.
She questioned what she described as the limited development benefits Teso had received since 2013, citing the lack of major institutions, reliable water supplies, markets and roads. Emaase also challenged Sidai’s position on infrastructure, arguing that the Standard Gauge Railway had previously stalled at Naivasha and that the road network around Rironi had not adequately served the region’s interests.
She said the national government was pursuing plans to extend the railway towards Malaba through Kisumu, presenting the project as an opportunity for the region.
“Eng Sidai, you were also in Azimio. Remain and negotiate with us. We are Tutam. We shall not allow you to mislead Tesos again,” she said.
Kaunya Calls for Unity with National Government
Teso North MP Oku Kaunya appealed to Sidai to reconsider his position and join fellow leaders in working with the national government. Addressing Emaase affectionately as “Toto Mary,” Kaunya recalled discussions held during a Teso delegation’s visit to State Lodge in Eldoret, where leaders reportedly agreed to pursue a common political strategy.
“We said let’s work together. At State Lodge Eldoret, we told Ruto we are one thing. Let’s avoid this Azimio business but embrace the broad-based government. We ODM/UDA, we are together. Our brother Sidai, come back. We need to be in government,” Kaunya said.
His remarks underscored the growing pressure on Sidai to abandon the Linda Mwananchi alignment in favour of an arrangement that would strengthen Teso’s relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Odera Defends Ruto’s Development Record
Busia Deputy Governor Arthur Odera challenged Osiya to visit his office, saying he was ready to engage him on the county’s development priorities.
“I have an office in Busia. Come and sign my visitor’s book,” Odera said.
He credited President Ruto, both as Deputy President and now as Head of State, with advancing road infrastructure in Teso and the wider Busia region. Odera also cited the establishment of technical training institutions at Chamasiri and Okame, saying the projects were initiated during Ruto’s tenure as Deputy President.
Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu urged local leaders not to divide the community, noting that Teso votes alone could not take a Teso candidate to the county headquarters as governor but needed consolidated support.
Ekwenye Calls for Dignified Campaigns
County Executive Committee Member for Culture and Sports Olunga Ekwenye urged Sidai and Osiya to pursue their ambitions without turning their differences into a source of division within the community. Using an analogy of birds choosing where to perch, Ekwenye said every leader was free to pursue a preferred political path.
He called on aspirants to seek votes in a dignified manner and avoid unnecessary political confrontation. Malaba North MCA Patrick Omanyala similarly urged politicians to unite residents rather than deepen divisions.
Ipara Asks Kaunya to Unite Teso Leaders
Teso North MP aspirant Bishop Felix Ipara challenged Kaunya to use his position as a leading Teso political voice to bring Sidai and Osiya together. Ipara urged the MP to prioritise community unity and help reconcile the competing political camps ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also called on Kaunya to leave the parliamentary contest to him as he concentrated on uniting the Teso community.
The exchanges exposed growing divisions among Teso leaders over whether to align with the Linda Mwananchi movement or cooperate with the national government as they position themselves for the 2027 General Election. Although the burial was convened to mourn the two siblings, the competing political speeches highlighted the emerging battle for influence within Teso and the wider Busia County gubernatorial race.