The aspirant for Budalang’i parliament seat, Leonard Wanda Obimbira, has told incumbent Ababu Namwamba to brace himself for a bruising battle ahead of the August 8th, 2017 elections.
“I have rolled my sleeves ready to give a good account of myself with the Orange Democratic Movement as my vessel,” he said during his farewell dinner party at Hotel Itoya.
Obimbira who was the Busia County Finance Executive alleged that poverty has reached alarming levels with people who are queuing for bursaries increasing ever since Ababu took over the reins of power.
“There is no conducive environment for doing business in Budalangi. Misuse and CDF funds theft is the order of the day. We need to stop this worrying trend,” he said.
Obimbira said insecurity and harassment of fishermen have taken centerstage in the area, and that the area MP has left the situation unabated instead of using the assembly to move a motion that would mandate the national government to ensure security was restored among fishermen.
Narrating the challenges he faced as Finance Executive, Obimbira said inadequate funds and piecemeal release by the national government marred his four-year tenure.
Busia County Assembly Speaker Bernard Wamalwa who delivered Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’s apologies thanked the CEC for pioneering the office well and described him as a man of character.
He thanked Obimbira for taking the bold decision to shift into the political arena. “Painful decisions have to be made. ODM leader Raila Odinga took over two decades to realize the second liberation and about three decades to perfect the system,” he said.
Busia County ODM chairman Patrick Ombogoya recalled the years he was an altar boy with Obimbira. He described him as good, quiet and go-getter.
Others present included CECs Martin Kafwa (Culture and Sports), Bernard Yaite (Public Works and Roads) and Hillary Makhulu ( Education). Chief officers Gilbert Oduor ( Culture and Sports)and Felix Mugabe (Deputy County Secretary).
