Stephen Orinde seals Changara debate with Gazette notice revelation

Busia County Commissioner Stephen Orinde has told residents of Teso North that the longstanding debate over the administrative location of Changara Division has been conclusively settled through an official Gazette Notice confirming it lies within Busia County.

Speaking on Wednesday during his second public baraza since assuming office as the national government’s chief administrative and security coordinator in Busia, Orinde said the matter should now be laid to rest.

According to the commissioner, the government produced the Gazette Notice after receiving numerous calls requesting clarity on the issue. He revealed that Teso Deputy County Commissioner Solomon Kitai presented the legal document, effectively ending the controversy.

“There should be no more debate on Changara, which has dominated social media for some time. The Gazette Notice confirming where Changara is domiciled concludes the issue and the decision is final,” Orinde said, adding that claims suggesting otherwise were misleading.

The debate had been sparked by John Waluke, the Member of Parliament for Sirisia Constituency, who claimed that six primary schools in Changara — Kopiya, Matumbai, Kisiombe, Changara, Akobwait and Angaro — fall under Bungoma County.

Security and governance concerns

The commissioner warned chiefs against cases where residents take the law into their own hands by attacking suspected criminals instead of allowing legal processes to prevail. He said local administrators would be held accountable for any incidents of mob justice.

Orinde also raised concerns over delays in succession processes, emphasizing that citizens have a constitutional right to obtain succession letters and urging chiefs to properly guide applicants.

He further reminded chiefs and assistant chiefs to apply skills gained from recent Rapid Results Initiative training by serving residents with professionalism and humility.

Rise in defilement cases

The county commissioner decried an increase in defilement cases, citing a recent incident involving a nine-year-old girl.

“I will ensure perpetrators of this heinous act are dealt with decisively. Chiefs must sensitise communities during barazas, and I will follow up cases with the ODPP and magistrates to ensure offenders are jailed,” he said.

Government programmes and youth engagement

Orinde urged administrators to sensitise residents on national government programmes, including affordable housing, modern markets, industrial parks, road infrastructure development, subsidised fertiliser, livestock vaccination, the Hustler Fund, Kazi Majuu and the Nyota youth empowerment initiative.

He warned youths against being misused by politicians to engage in unlawful activities, stressing that security agencies will only support public gatherings conducted in line with the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

The commissioner also encouraged young people to register as voters as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission rolls out enhanced voter registration. He noted that uncollected national identity cards at Huduma Centres would be distributed through chiefs to enable youth participation in elections.

Corruption warning

 during recruitment

Orinde cautioned the public against bribery during police recruitment exercises, warning that individuals posing as brokers and soliciting money would face legal action.

County Administration Police Commander Ahmed Abdille urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement by providing accurate information and abandoning fear of police officers.

“Police are public servants. The era of fearing the police is long gone,” Abdille said, calling on boda boda riders to collaborate with security agencies in crime prevention.

Revenue performance

Teso North Sub-County Administrator Silas Jumah commended residents for improved revenue compliance, reporting collections of KSh77 million in December and KSh75 million in January. He also assured residents that garbage management challenges in Malaba Town would be resolved by the end of the month.