By Rodgers Omondi, Busia
Busia County Commissioner Stephen Orinde has assured residents of Changara Division in Teso North Sub-county that the area is legally part of Busia County and not Bungoma County.
Speaking during the Madaraka Day celebrations at Kopiya Primary School in Changara, Orinde said he had conducted due diligence on the matter and confirmed that official records clearly place Changara within Busia County.
“When the issue of Changara was raised, I undertook due diligence to ascertain the truth. I found that Changara Division is in Busia County and there is proper documentation to prove it. This position will not change,” said Orinde.
The County Commissioner warned leaders against inciting communities living along county boundaries, emphasizing the need to maintain peace and coexistence.
“This is an issue of the past and we should not continue engaging in it. We will not allow leaders to incite communities that have been living peacefully together. Peace should remain our norm,” he added.
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma reiterated that Changara is part of Busia County and announced plans to construct a market in the area to boost economic activities.
“Changara is in Busia County, which is why we chose to hold the county’s Madaraka Day celebrations here. We are also increasing the number of ECDE classrooms in schools across this division and the entire county. Our people deserve equal development,” said Otuoma.
The Governor expressed concern over alleged sabotage of the Malakisi Water Project, claiming that sections of the infrastructure had been destroyed in the neighboring county, disrupting water supply to Busia residents.
“We have allocated KSh20 million to support the project and ensure our people continue receiving water,” he said.
Otuoma also raised concern over rising cases of teenage pregnancies in the county, calling on parents and the community to work together to protect children.
“We need responsible mothers and leaders of tomorrow. Protecting our children is a collective responsibility if we are to build a better county and nation,” he said.
Teso North MP Oku Kaunya urged leaders to respect existing boundaries and refrain from making statements that could fuel conflict among communities.
“I want to ask Sirisia MP John Waluke to stop claiming that Changara is in Bungoma County. Changara is in Busia County and Teso North Constituency. The June 2017 Gazette Notice confirmed this position,” said Kaunya.
The MP called on residents living along the Busia-Bungoma border to continue coexisting peacefully and promoting unity.
“Let us continue living together as brothers and sisters. We are one people separated only by administrative boundaries. No part of Changara will be taken away from Teso North,” he said.
Kaunya further urged politicians to focus on development-oriented politics and respect elected leaders.
“As leaders from Busia, we resolved to pursue development through collaboration with the national government. We urge all politicians to embrace politics that unite people and promote progress,” he added.
