The government on April 24, 2025, announced the creation of two more divisions in Teso North Sub County to bring to six the total number of divisions created so far.
Area Deputy County Commissioner Solomon Kitahi told his first public baraza that since his posting about a year ago, he found it prudent to hold his first public baraza to understand the needs of area residents.
The DCC said that apart from the creation of the two divisions, Malaba North and Angurai South, he had also received a letter confirming the new chief for Amagoro Location following the death of Daniel Otebang’or, who was the brother-in-law to Busia County FKF Secretary General Victor Ochakala.
Mr. Joel Omachar, the assistant chief for Amagoro Sub Location, has been acting chief for the location. The DCC said the vacancy for the assistant chief for the Amagoro Sub Location will be advertised.
The creation of two more divisions puts Teso North in a pivotal position to be accorded the autonomy of a second sub-county, which has been the ambition of area residents who welcomed the DCC’s announcement.
The new divisions are Malaba North and Angurai South wards. Teso North now has a total of six divisions. Others are Changara, Angurai, Amagoro, and Kamolo.
Former senior journalist with Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Kennedy Epalat lauded Justice Emeritus Mathew Anyara Emukule for saving the lives of retired teachers with a landmark ruling while at the Nakuru High Court to pay them their salary increment or have the then TSC Secretary Gabriel Longaibon arrested.
Epalat urged security agencies, especially the police, to collaborate with boda boda riders to end insecurity, considering that the boda bodas carry “thieves,” bhang, drug peddlers, and people crossing porous borders.
“These boda bodas carry foreigners to ‘hide’ here to escape sentence in their countries. Be honest and tell the police that the foreigner you are carrying is not good and the nature of goods you are carrying,” he said.
Epalat added: “The collaboration will be possible if we involve politicians, including MPs and MCAs, who are fond of calling the OCS to release their voters.”
The veteran journalist told landlords to take details of their tenants in a bid to assist the police in the event they default or are found to involve themselves in criminal activities.
Epalat warned most families against showing their personal details on social media, noting that thugs will use them to execute their illicit plans.
Opinion leader Simon Oruchum said the major challenge that is bedeviling the youth in Teso North is the lack of opportunities for national government jobs for over 400 households.
Oruchum also urged the government to consider setting up an Alupe University Constituent College in Amagoro and a branch of Chamasiri Technical Training College in Amagoro.
“As politicians, we are losing our votes owing to frequent arrests of chang’aa brewers and consumers,” he said. He also claimed that police add water to chang’aa when they make arrests to make the case look bigger.
Oruchum said, “There is a need to create more administrative units. We also need another sub-location and more primary schools in Amagoro and the tarmacking of Amagoro-Kakapel Junction Road.”
Malaba Officer Commanding Station Joyce Shiyonga vowed that there would be no negotiations on defilement and rape cases, noting that she would deal firmly with perpetrators of these heinous acts.
Shiyonga also took issue with women who, despite being tortured by their husbands, become remorseful and forgive them instead of allowing the law to take its own course.
Amagoro business lady Susan Okiring decried the lack of a public notice board in Amagoro and the lack of lights at the former DCC offices and St. Thomas Amagoro Girls.
Teso North Sub County Administrator Silas Juma spoke about the Facility Improvement Fund (FIF).
County Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretary Beard Ambuchi said mediation is a solution for you, noting that it is fast and inexpensive.
Chairman of the Alternative Justice System Mzee Wycliffe Oprong said there was a need to give the youth direction and educate them on the need to avoid engaging in alcohol and drugs.
Mzee Oprong, who is also the chairman of the Teso Council of Elders, Teso region, urged people who attain the age of 60 and above to register as elders.
Chairlady of Amagoro market Caro Zeitun said there was not enough space for expansion of the market and no space for parking vehicles.
Mr. Gershom Ichalai, who is living with a disability, warned people against hiding disabled children in their houses but instead advised them to take the children to the hospital for assessment and later to school where they would get the right placement.
The DCC later launched the Amagoro Sub Location Welfare, with residents of the sub-location paying a Sh50 registration fee and a monthly contribution of Sh100. He handed over the certificate to the chairman, Geoffrey Sang’alo.
Women Representative Mary Okedi said the welfare will help, noting they will move door to door to market the welfare.
Youth representative Samson Enarach urged the county government to put elaborate measures in place to curb alcohol and drug and substance abuse among the youth.
- By Absalom Namwalo
