By REUBEN OLITA
June 06, 2026| Busia Governor Paul Otuoma (pictured) has described opposition efforts to unseat President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election as unrealistic, stating that the President’s re-election campaign is gaining support due to his development record.
Speaking Saturday during a boda boda empowerment programme at NYS Osasame in Teso North Sub-County, Otuoma said President Ruto’s “Tutam” re-election narrative is becoming a reality, with Busia County among the beneficiaries of government development projects.
The governor noted that Busia residents had historically supported former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in previous elections. However, he said the political landscape shifted after Odinga entered into a working arrangement with President Ruto, leading to the formation of the broad-based government.
“Before he left active opposition politics, Raila brokered a truce that culminated in the broad-based government, where key allies were absorbed into the national administration. With this arrangement, we are moving around the country explaining why Ruto remains the sure bet for 2027 despite claims by the opposition,” Otuoma said.
He argued that while other elective positions remain open to competition, the presidency is firmly within Ruto’s reach.
“Other seats apart from the presidency are open to any candidate who meets the constitutional threshold and can convince voters that they are capable of delivering. But when it comes to the presidency, even the opposition knows Ruto’s march back to State House in 2027 is unstoppable,” he said.
According to Otuoma, the President’s development record in three years has attracted support from many Kenyans. He cited infrastructure projects in Busia County, including the Busia–Malaba road, Malaba–Kakemer road, Butula–Nambale–Amukura–Kocholia road, and the ongoing construction of a modern stadium at the Agricultural Training Centre in Busia Town.
The governor also announced that a similar empowerment programme targeting women from Funyula Constituency will be held on June 13.
During the event, Teso gospel musician Joseph Isogol, who has mobility challenges, received a pledge from President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet for a Toyota Probox vehicle, to be delivered on Monday.
“I am a great fan of Isogol, especially his song ‘Eyalama Papa Edeke Ekirori Kon Kituroi’ (Thank You God, Your Name Should Be Praised),” Kibet said.
Kibet invited Bishop Michael Ikwara of Desert Hills Bible Church to pray for the musician. The bishop thanked God for opening doors for Isogol and commended Kibet, Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, and Governor Otuoma for supporting the artiste. Otuoma donated KSh100,000 toward the vehicle’s maintenance.
Kaunya described the event as the third major empowerment initiative in the constituency after previous programmes targeting churches and women, and reaffirmed his support for President Ruto’s re-election bid.
Several other leaders present, including MPs Mary Emaase, Geoffrey Mulanya, Beatrice Adagala and Nabii Nabwera, also expressed support for President Ruto’s 2027 candidature.
During the fundraiser, President Ruto contributed KSh1 million toward boda boda empowerment, while National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Farouk Kibet donated KSh500,000 each. Other contributions included KSh300,000 from David Ochieng, KSh200,000 from Governor Otuoma, and KSh100,000 each from Gladys Wanga, Simba Arati and Arthur Osiya.
Boda boda riders, organized through 62 groups, raised KSh2.4 million for the empowerment programme.