Former Funyala Member of Parliament Paul Otuoma has garnered Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket to vie for Busia gubernatorial seat, after trouncing his competitor Florence Mutua with 49,300 votes against Mutua’s 30,696.
Otuma was issued with the interim nomination certificate after county returning officer Prof. Charles Tips delivered the nomination results as per electoral laws.
“Thank you my ODM members in Busia for speaking out loudly. On 9th August this year, the entire Busia will be much LOUDER,” said Otuoma.
Cathrine Omanyo, also of ODM got a total of 29,273 votes thus winning the ticket to vie for Busia county women representatives.
While speaking after his victory, the former Funyula MP called upon leaders from the western region to drum up support for former premier and presidential aspirant Raila Odinga.
The western region where Odinga has for years enjoyed political support appears divided this time with leaders like Musalia Mudavadi and Mosses Wetangula dropping their presidential bid for Kenya Kwanza flag bearer Deputy President William Ruto.
Otuoma called for unity in the county and urged those whom he competed against for the ODM ticket to join forces for the victory of Busia residents come August 9.
“I call upon my colleagues with whom I competed for the party gubernatorial ticket, to come on board; let us join hands & make Busia great. Our political ambitions should not be the cause for disunity among our people, but our unity should be the clarion call for our UNITY,” said Otuoma on his Twitter page.
This will be Otuoma’s third stab at the seat after two unsuccessful trials. He lost to incumbent Sospeter Ojaamong first in 2013 and in a hotly contested race in 2017.
Otuoma made history in the western region when he sent former Vice President Moody Awuori to political retirement in 2007 after 24 years of rein,
In his first term, Otuoma managed to build five secondary and seven primary schools and connected the entire Funtula constituency to tap water.
Funyula Constituency was known for a notorious select group of individuals majorly from Busijo sub-location, known for malice and killings. Funyula residents could never be more than grateful for the vocal Otuoma who silenced the group through the erection of more schools in the region.
