Former Member of the Busia County Assembly and 2027 Teso North Member of the National Assembly aspirant Ichasi Imwene has vehemently opposed the planned inauguration of area Member of Parliament as the spokesperson of the Iteso in the whole of Kenya.

Addressing mourners during the burial service of Mama Colleta Amentonono Imutuan, 67, at Kidek Village in Malaba Central Ward on Friday, Hon Ichasi said any coronation or inauguration is very sensitive to the Iteso community.

” As a leader, we have not sat anywhere to decide one person should be the Iteso spokesperson. If at all we have a spokesperson, that person should not be a politician because politicians have their own things,” he said.

Ichasi added: ” Let’s èngage in our own politics, and the seat of spokesperson should go to a non-politician. We can even give a church leader or look for a person who has been in politics but has now retired like former Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong deserves to be spokesperson or former Malaba Central MCA Ishmael Orodi.”

Ichasi said they can’t tolerate somebody who will be in the ballot in 2027 to defend his seat. He is pronouncing he wants to be the Spokesperson.

” I oppose it in totality. On September 20, I urge the Iteso community not to attend the event to enable us to decide who deserves the seat. For us in active politics and seeking seats in 2027 as MCA, MP, or woman rep, don’t crave for that seat. Let the seat be given to a person who is neutral,” he said.

Ichasi appealed to the Iteso Cultural leader Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot not come and undertake the inauguration exercise. “We need an order. our Papa should not officiate something we have not agreed as a community”.

The invitation on those to attend read in part: “The Royal Council of Iteso Kingdom/Community humbly requests your esteemed presence at the coronation and inauguration of the event. Distinguished, honourable Dr. Edward Oku Kaunya as the ITESO people spokesman in the whole of kenya. to be held on Saturday, 20th September, the year of our Lord 2025 at Amagoro Primary grounds in Teso North as from 9 a.m.

Your presence will be a great honour as we celebrate this historic occasion of leadership, unity, and heritage.

Join us as we mark the beginning of a new era of service, progress, and commitment.

The occasion will be graced by His Royal Highness Papa Sande Emolot Etomeileng , the Speaker of the National Assembly Rt. Hon Dr. Moses masika Wetangula, invited Governors, MPs, Elected members of county Assemblies, Eminent persons ,Teso Elders and Teso Delegations drawn from Teso North, South, Nambale, Matayos, Samia, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia and our Brothers from Turkana led by ATAKER special Envoy, Hon Dr. John Munyes and the Diaspora”.

Veteran Journalist Kennedy Epalat said if their cultural leader or any of his representatives or agents will preside over, it would have the consequence of causing a rift among the Iteso community.

” It would have made sense if the person to be inaugurated was not a serving politician or member of Parliament. The process should not be opaque. There should be a delegates meeting bringing together all clans and carefully picked individuals as representatives from the rich resource of Iteso community after careful consultation with the ICU cabinet and its leadership”.

Epalat added: ” I’m made to understand that even the Chairman of Ikaruok luk’Ojim Clan, whose Patron is Hon Oku Kaunya is not in the know and only saw it on social media.”

Commenting on Usalama Amagoro social media platform, MCA aspirant Edwin Enarach said Epalat should not be ignored. He has raised issues that are out there. “I am also not privy to such arrangements until I read on social media. Why the rush and why a politician? My thought, though.”

Photo: Ichasi Imwene ( in red shirt) surrounded by his supporters at Kidek Village in Malaba North Ward on Friday.