By Reuben Olita, Busia
Principal Administrative Secretary in the Executive Office of the President, Arthur Amug Osiya, has dismissed calls for his resignation, asserting that he is firmly focused on serving until the 2027 elections.
Speaking during the burial of Mzee Stephen Etiang Charles Emacar, 90, at Kaeset Primary School on Saturday, Osiya said he plays a central role in government operations and will not bow to pressure from skeptics.
“I will only step aside when the 2027 gubernatorial contest approaches. Nothing can deter me from seeking the mandate of Busia County residents to run for governor,” Osiya declared.
He rejected suggestions by his political rival, Engineer Vincent Sidai, to agree on a consensus candidate to face incumbent Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma in the next election.
“I have toured 31 out of 35 wards to consult with residents on their priorities. I’ve also engaged professionals across the county, and they’ve endorsed my bid,” Osiya added.
The PAS criticized the state of healthcare in the county, describing it as “pathetic,” and decried the poor infrastructure in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres.
“Members of the County Assembly are living in deplorable conditions, going for two to three months without salaries. In Busia, it seems devolution was postponed. Indiscipline in county operations is also rampant,” he lamented.
He further pointed out that statutory deductions for hospital staff had not been remitted, calling it a “sad state of affairs.”
“There is no county called Teso. What matters is service delivery to the people of Busia,” Osiya told Sidai.
Engineer Sidai, on his part, said he had visited Mzee Emacar before his passing to seek his blessings and expressed confidence in becoming the third governor of Busia County.
He dismissed comments by CECM for Culture and Sports Olunga Ekwenye, who expressed confidence in Otuoma’s re-election in 2027.
On why he didn’t run in 2017, Sidai said the election would have been handed to Otuoma had he and former Governor Sospeter Ojaamong both entered the race.
Former Governor Ojaamong eulogized the late Emacar as a key figure in the creation of Teso North and Teso South constituencies. He also credited him for the construction of the Town Hall during his tenure as councillor.
Emacar served as councillor for Kakapel Ward from 1997 and later for the merged Kakapel, Aboloi, and Katakwa wards. In 2004, he was elected chairman of the Teso County Council and also served as chairman of the Teso Council of Elders before retiring from politics.
Former Woman Representative Florence Mutua criticized CEC Olunga Ekwenye for campaigning for Governor Otuoma’s re-election and advised him to “return home and wait for a better position” rather than holding a “mediocre” one.
Mutua also spoke passionately about the plight of widows, noting that many are treated as outcasts after the loss of their husbands.
“Some, if not most, lose their land and property to relatives, driving them into poverty and hopelessness despite years of marriage. I will continue to fight for the voiceless,” she said.
The late Stephen Emacar was the father of Bungoma CEC Member for Gender, Youth, Culture and Sports Ben Emacar, national chemistry examiner Deliciah Amai, playwright Caroline Emacar, and national referee Donald Emacar. He is survived by 19 children and 60 grandchildren.
He had been diagnosed with an umbilical cord hernia and prostate enlargement.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya sent a condolence message through MCA Eric Wafula.
The high-profile funeral was marked by heavy rains and attended by five Catholic priests. The service was led by Fr. Francis Kamau from Eldoret, who used the occasion to address domestic abuse.
“Some men are suffering in silence under abusive wives. Let us use this year’s World Women’s Day to confront the silent torture against men,” he urged.
