By Reuben Olita, Busia
Malaba Central Ward in Teso North Sub-County has never re-elected an MCA since the advent of devolution in 2013 — a pattern that 2027 aspirant Moses Imai believes will continue.
Speaking during the burial of clearing agent Amina Mohammed at Ikapolok Trailer Park grounds on Monday, Imai confidently declared his intention to unseat the current ward representative and Deputy Speaker of the Busia County Assembly, Hon. Ronald Ochalu.
Frankline Omukaga
“No one has ever retained this seat, and 2027 will be no different. The current MCA should start preparing for his exit,” said Imai, urging members of the Muslim community to support his bid.
Since devolution began, Malaba Central Ward has changed leadership every election cycle. The first MCA was Hon. Ishmael Orodi, a two-time councillor, elected in 2013 on the Wiper party ticket. In 2017, Hon. Benard Ibella Papa succeeded him, also on a Wiper ticket. The current MCA, Hon. Ronald Ochalu, won the seat in 2022 under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
While Malaba Central Ward Manager Frankline Omukaga declined to respond to Imai’s “one-term” claim, he conveyed Hon. Ochalu’s message of condolence to the bereaved family.
Hon. Papa, popularly known as Benpa, also addressed mourners at the funeral and hinted at a political comeback.
“I’ve given my opponent one year to finish whatever he’s doing. I’m still strong, and I’ll return to convince you again. Malaba Central has taken several steps back. But politics isn’t a matter of life and death,” said Papa.
He urged voters to assess his past performance critically. “Come 2027, judge me on my three-year record, remembering that two of my years in office were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
