[Funyula MP Paul Otuoma and Busia governor Sospeter Ojaamong’. Photo/Courtesy]
Major protests rocked Busia county April 14, after incumbent governor Sospeter Ojaamong' was declared the winner of the ODM primaries with 92,358 votes against his rival, Funyula MP Paul Otuoma's 63,752 votes.
Eyebrows were raised when two sub-counties in Busia, Teso North and Teso South perceived to be Ojaamong’s strongholds, produced results that were said to be more than the number of registered voters in the IEBC register.
Ojaamong’ maintained he won the race in a free, fair but Otuoma accused him of rigging the election.
ODM National Election Board however nullified the election in the two constituencies citing massive irregularities and rescheduled the repeat of the exercise on April 25.
Reports however indicated Ojaamong' could have rigged the election as accused.
Days after the contentious Busia county primaries were conducted, four people were arraigned in court, Tuesday, April 18, after they were found in possession of pre-marked ballot papers that would have given Busia governor an advantage over Funyula legislator in the gubernatorial contest.
The fifth man was issued an arrest warrant.
According to media reports, the five men were identified as Eric Amurunga, Stephen Angura, Anthony Ajulu, David Maende and Gabriel Idewa.
The suspects pleaded not guilty and were released on a cash bail between Sh1 million and Sh700,000 or a bond of between Sh1 million and Sh1.5 million.
The matter will be heard on Monday, April 24.