A bitter political firestorm has erupted on the border of Busia and Bungoma counties, threatening to unravel decades of peaceful coexistence. Teso North MP Oku Kaunya has launched a blistering attack on his Sirisia counterpart, John Waluke, terming the latter’s call to move the Changara division "reckless, misleading, and dangerous."

The dispute centers on administrative boundaries that define not just territory, but identity and resource allocation. Waluke’s recent remarks in Parliament, where he advocated for the degazettement of Changara division from Teso North and its transfer to Sirisia, have been met with fury by Teso leaders. They view this not as a mere administrative adjustment, but as an expansionist encroachment that disrespects historical agreements and legal precedents.

The "Reckless" Proposition

Speaking as the de facto spokesman for the Teso community, Kaunya did not hold back. He accused Waluke of peddling falsehoods on the floor of the National Assembly. "It is surprising that Waluke, fully aware of the background, would present contrary information to Parliament," Kaunya asserted. He warned that such "careless talk" risks inciting ethnic tension along a border that has enjoyed relative harmony since independence.

The MP’s sentiments were echoed by a caucus of current and former Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from Teso North. Led by Angurai East MCA David Parapara, the leaders have petitioned the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to investigate Waluke for hate speech. They argue that challenging the legitimacy of the Changara division is an affront to the Teso community’s right to self-determination within their designated boundaries.

Historical Boundaries and Legal Facts

Kaunya’s rebuttal is grounded in colonial and post-independence history. He pointed out that Changara was legally hived off from the Angurai division following due process. The boundary lines, he argued, were drawn by the 1962 Regional Boundaries and Constituencies Delimitation Commission to protect the interests of minority communities.

• The 1962 Commission: Chaired by Sir Stafford Sutton, this body established the current boundaries to relieve the Iteso people from domination by larger neighboring communities.
• Gazette Notice: Changara exists as a gazetted administrative unit under Constituency Paper No. 1921 of December 28, 1962.
• The Demand: Teso leaders are now demanding a public apology and a formal retraction from Waluke, insisting that the boundaries must be respected as per the founding documents of the nation.

A Call for Unity

Beyond the legal arguments, Kaunya appealed for leadership that builds bridges rather than walls. "Leaders have a duty to promote unity and development," he stated, urging his colleague to focus on service delivery rather than territorial disputes. The escalation of this row serves as a cautionary tale about the sensitivity of land and boundary politics in Kenya, where historical grievances can easily be reignited by loose political rhetoric.