Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi has called on leaders seeking to challenge Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga in the 2027 General Election to withdraw their bids and support the veteran ODM leader.
Speaking at Awelo Primary School during the commissioning of classrooms renovated through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), Atandi said Siaya residents should carefully vet all aspirants seeking elective seats and support leaders who have the interests of the people at heart.
The legislator maintained that ODM should remain the dominant political force in Siaya and warned against supporting candidates sponsored by rival parties.
“As a leader from Alego Usonga, I will ensure that no recycled leader gets an elective seat in Siaya, and whoever secures a political position in 2027 must be an ODM candidate,” he said.
Atandi specifically urged former Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, who has been reviving his political structures, to abandon any plans of contesting the Senate seat if Oburu decides to seek re-election.
“Should Oburu decide to defend his seat, we shall fully support him as Siaya leaders. If he chooses to step down, we will not back recycled leaders but instead support fresh leadership capable of taking the county and country forward,” he said.
The MP described any attempt to challenge Oburu as a sign of disrespect to a leader he said had continued to offer valuable guidance to the Luo community.
“Even if some people feel that Oburu has served long enough, he remains sharp, wise and influential. Whenever we have faced leadership challenges, he has always provided guidance that has helped our community,” Atandi said.
He further credited Oburu with playing a key role in easing political tensions that existed between the opposition and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“We owe him loyalty. Those who choose to go against his wishes should know they will face political resistance,” he added.
Atandi argued that leaders who have already served lengthy terms in senior offices should not seek additional positions, saying Siaya should embrace fresh leadership if the Senate seat becomes vacant.
“We shall use every legitimate political strategy to stop Rasanga from becoming senator. If Siaya residents decide they are ready for change, then they should support fresh blood,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of maintaining ODM’s dominance in the region, warning that electing candidates from other political parties could weaken the party’s bargaining power at the national level.
“Our political influence depends on the strength of ODM. Supporting candidates from other parties risks weakening our voice and reducing the opportunities available to our people,” he said.
Atandi noted that several youthful aspirants had already expressed interest in the Senate seat, including Nick Ongoro, Siaya Governance Chief Officer Walter Okelo, Zacky Masiro and Oscar Omondi.
The MP also highlighted a number of development projects that have been prioritised in the 2026/27 financial year.
He said KSh40 million had been allocated to upgrade Naman Akumu Primary School into a secondary school to ease congestion at Obambo and Siaya Township secondary schools.
“In the next week, a contractor will be on site, meaning the Nyandiwa area will finally have a secondary school,” he said.
Atandi further revealed that KSh50 million and KSh45 million had been allocated to improve infrastructure at Siaya Township Primary School and Central Primary School respectively.
“We are committed to improving infrastructure in all our primary schools,” he said.
The legislator added that KSh200 million had been allocated for road improvements within Siaya Town and surrounding areas.
“We want roads leading to residential estates to be tarmacked, and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority will soon identify the roads to be upgraded,” he said.
To improve access to healthcare, Atandi said KSh55 million had been set aside for the construction of a dispensary at Karapul.
He also announced plans to tarmac six roads in Alego Usonga Constituency, including the Ratuoro–Awelo road, for which a contractor has already been identified.
In addition, the MP revealed that KSh1 billion had been earmarked for a major water project in West Alego.
“The project will source water from Lake Kanyaboli, pump it to Got Akara for treatment and then distribute it across the entire Alego Usonga Constituency,” he said.
