By REUBEN OLITA
October 5, 2026| Residents of Kamolo and Kodedema in Teso North Sub-County have raised concerns over what they describe as years of neglect in the provision of vital infrastructure and public services.
Speaking during the burial of Mzee Peter Orimodi Orodi, 92, at Kodedema village on Saturday, September 27, 2026, former councillor Ronald Osialai said residents would assess leaders based on their development record and accountability.
“2027 will be politics of interest and accountability. We will not vote on party or clan. We will look at the development record,” Mr Osialai said on behalf of residents of Kodedema, Kamolo and the Kidedea/Kamili area.
He said residents remained loyal citizens of Teso North and were ready for dialogue with political leaders over the challenges facing the area.
Kamolo Secondary School bus
Mr Osialai raised concerns over the fate of a school bus allegedly procured for Kamolo Secondary School through the NG-CDF in 2017.
He claimed that after the change in political leadership following the 2017 General Election, payments relating to the bus were allegedly not cleared, resulting in its auction.
“We are told that the matter is in court in Nairobi. This has been the explanation for nine years,” he said.
According to Mr Osialai, the absence of a school bus has forced Kamolo Secondary School students to walk or hire matatus when travelling for games and other activities.
He further alleged that the school had not received NG-CDF development funding since August 2017, while other institutions continued to benefit from annual allocations.
The residents are demanding a public statement, supported by documentary evidence, on the status of the bus case and the restoration of Kamolo Secondary School to the NG-CDF development programme.
Atoot Primary School
Mr Osialai also raised concerns over Atoot Primary School, which he said had remained largely underdeveloped since its establishment.
He said NG-CDF purchased land for the school in 2016 and constructed one classroom and a toilet, but alleged that development stalled after the 2017 elections.
He said the only recent intervention had been the replacement of white iron sheets with blue ones.
According to Mr Osialai, the nearest public schools include Kodedema Primary School in Teso South, Akulonyi and Gara, with some children having to walk several kilometres to access education.
He said a classroom was constructed in 2017 by the then area MP, who is now Deputy Governor Arthur Odera, while parents had continued supporting the institution, which has since grown to Class Four.
The residents are demanding the immediate gazettement of Atoot Primary School, deployment of teachers by the Teachers Service Commission and full development funding to enable the school to establish the required classrooms, administration block and desks.
Kodedema-Kamolo-Kiriko-Jairos road
The residents also questioned the continued neglect of the Kodedema-Kamolo-Kiriko-Jairos road.
Mr Osialai said the road had been classified in 1998 and was previously maintained by the national government until 2017.
He claimed that residents had since been given conflicting explanations over whether the road falls under the national or county government.
“When we ask the MP, we are told it is a county government road. When we ask the county government, we are told it is a national government road. Who budgets for it and who is responsible?” he asked.
He said the poor state of the road was affecting farmers transporting their produce and residents seeking medical services.
The residents are demanding a joint clarification from the area MP and the governor within 14 days on the ownership and maintenance responsibility for the road during the current financial year.
Rural electrification
Mr Osialai further said many households in Kodedema and Kamolo remained without electricity despite government efforts to expand last-mile connectivity.
He questioned why the two areas had allegedly not benefited sufficiently from the programme, particularly following the allocation of funds announced by President William Ruto during the launch of the Malaba Market.
“We are keenly monitoring what we consider marginalisation of Kodedema and Kamolo in service delivery and resource distribution since 2017,” he said.
He called for the concerns to be addressed through dialogue, accountability and equitable distribution of public resources.
The statement was issued by Mr Osialai on behalf of residents of Kodedema and Kamolo, Kidedea/Kamili area.