Iteso Cultural Union leaders and politicians have condemned an incident where a section of women and youths booed any person who is perceived to be “an enemy” of area MP Arthur Odera.
Busia County Executive Committee Member for water and Sanitation Gregory Odeke and Teso North parliamentary aspirants were victims of the uncouth behavior that earned instant condemnation.
The annual Iteso Cultural Union Day at Kakapel Primary School that was attended by Busia Deputy Governor Kizito Wangalwa and Cultural leaders from Kenya and Uganda failed to meet the tenets of the day.
The MP started it off by condemning the County Government alleged failure to avail water to Angurai location residents which had seen women and children walk for long distance in search of the precious commodity.
“The County Government should use funds from emergency kitty to avail water to residents to avert the catastrophe which he said had continued to ravage the area,” he said.
When he rose up to respond, a section of women interrupted with Odeke’s speech which annoyed those in attendance and blamed the MP for having masterminded the unfortunate scenario.
Odeke said although there was water scarcity in Angurai Division, he attributed it to adverse weather which has ravaged most parts of the country.
However, the CEC member said the problem will be addressed in the next few days when the solar powered Malakisi water project will start functioning. “As a stop gap measure we shall avail water to areas with water scarcity.”
Soroti-based Iteso Cultural Union Chairman Nicholas Odokoria told Teso leaders to stop introducing politics on cultural days and instead embrace unity of the people.
“I don’t want to hear of an imaginary boundary between Teso North and Teso South. The unity of the community is paramount before you try to seek unity with other neighbors,” he said.
Teso North parliamentary aspirant Shem Papa claimed the women were strategically made to sit at the main dais to heckle at anybody who was believed to be not supporting with the incumbent.
The MP aspirants who found themselves on the frying pan included Lawi Mamai, Papa and Oku Kaunya, Daniel Mogoria. Only George Okwara was spared the women’s wrath.
Wangalwa appealed for peace among leaders across the county saying politics of division will not help. “I have sacrificed my ambitions to support Ojaamong for Governor in 2017 because I value unity.”