The 2017 general elections came and went with a section of politicians previously perceived to be political heavyweights.
Former Funyula Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Nyongesa Otuoma is among a host of seasoned politicians who lost in last years’ elections.
The former ODM Deputy Chairman vied for the gubernatorial seat in Busia County. He lost to incumbent Sospeter Odeke Ojamoong.
Signs of losing the seat came to the fore much earlier during the ODM party Primaries where he was defeated by the incumbent.
The results were canceled after Otuoma claimed that there was widespread rigging in favor of Ojamoong during the nominations.
ODM leadership ordered fresh nominations, but Otuoma chickened out and decided to vie for the governor’s seat as an independent candidate.
Ojamoong won the elections, and later had a case challenging his re-election dismissed by Busia High Court. The move was the last straw on Otuoma’s bid to have a firm grip on the Busia County politics, hit a snag.
Since then, Paul Otuoma has been quiet, perhaps taking a stalk of last years’ elections.He is yet to announce his next political move ahead of the 2022 general elections.
The former minister came into the country’s political scene in 2007, when he defeated former Vice President to win the Funyula Parliamentary seat.
With Ojamoong’s term caming to an end in 2022, analysts believe that Otuoma has an upper hand in succeeding him, only if he plays his cards well.