Section of youth from Busia threaten to recall Okiya Omtatah
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah reacts after riot police officers detained him among other protesters demonstrating against what they say is a wave of unexplained abductions of government critics, along the Aga Khan walk in downtown Nairobi, Kenya December 30, 2024.
What you need to know:
- According to Ms Okotsi, Mr Omtatah holds the significant authority to scrutinize county governments to ensure that resources are prudently utilised and also champion policies that would uplift the lives of ordinary citizens.
Youth from Busia County have faulted their Senator Okiya Omtatah, accusing him of failing to prioritise the mandate he was given by the people of Busia, but instead focusing on national politics and advancing his interests.
Under the umbrella of the Busia Youth Caucus, the young men and women, who addressed the press in Busia town, called on Mr Omtatah to address issues affecting the residents of Busia and hold the county government accountable so that funds allocated to the devolved unit are properly utilised for the benefit of the people within Busia county.
“The person we elected as our Senator has failed to distinguish himself from the activist he was before we elected him to represent our interests. He has neglected his duties in the senate thus betraying the trust of those who elected him to the Upper House,” lamented Ms Emiliana Okotsi, the chairperson of the Busia Youth Caucus.
According to Ms Okotsi, Mr Omtatah holds the significant authority to scrutinize county governments to ensure that resources are prudently utilised and also champion policies that would uplift the lives of ordinary citizens.
“But instead of focusing on these responsibilities, Senator Omtatah has chosen to immerse himself in endless activism and litigations which appear to be aimed more at self-promotion and intimidation than delivering meaningful change for the people of Busia. His activism has superseded his primary goal as a Senator,” added Ms Okotsi.
This comes after Mr Omtatah on Monday filed a case at the High Court seeking to compel the Inspector General (IG) of police Douglas Kanja, Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI), and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Renson Ingonga to produce in court seven youth who were abducted by individuals believed to be police officers.
The Senator joined protestors who were taking part in the #EndAbductionsKE march in Nairobi City’s CBD on Monday. The demonstrations aimed to highlight cases of forced disappearances in the country.
He ended up arrested along with several other human rights activists who had chained themselves, giving police a difficult time to disperse or unchain them during the protests in Nairobi against the alleged state abductions.
The youth noted that his preoccupation with filing lawsuits and engaging in public theatrics had left a glaring void in the critical oversight role that Busia needs, allowing inefficiencies and mismanagement in the county government.
Mr Emmanuel Magoba, another youth leader from Busia asked Mr Omtatah to resign from the senate and continue with activism as a private citizen and not a Senator representing the people of Busia.
“We cannot allow being shortchanged by a leader who has abandoned his responsibilities for personal pursuits and therefore, as Busia Youth Caucus demand for his immediate resignation because he has failed to live up to the expectations of his office and has lost the confidence of the people he represents,” said Mr Magoba.
The youth have threatened to kick start the process of collecting signatures to recall Mr Omtatah from the senate should he fail to resign claiming Busia county was facing critical challenges that require focused and dedicated leadership.
Mr Magoba added: “We need a Senator who will fight for our development, ensure accountability in the county government, and work tirelessly to improve the lives of the people of Busia. We call upon the people of Busia, civil organisations, and other well-wishers to join us in recalling Omtatah’s resignation.”
Even after the long-time human rights activist hinted his intention to contest against President William Ruto in the 2027 elections by forming a 10-man presidential exploratory committee to assess the feasibility of his candidacy, there is discontent from his Busia backyard with the youth warning Kenyans against backing his candidacy.
“This man is not a leader worth being the president. Who wants a president who moves with files from one office to another? This is what he has been doing after we elected him to serve in the Senate. He is just an activist who cannot be trusted with leadership,” noted Mr Magoba.
The long-time human rights activist and first-time Senator, has been steadfast in criticising governments for alleged failures. He would move from one court to another seeking justice whenever the government was on the wrong.
