Busia Governor Paul Otuoma could face civil jail after being summoned by the Environment and Land Court for alleged contempt. The summons, issued by Judge Boaz Olao on December 17, commands the governor to explain why he shouldn't be imprisoned for deliberately defying court orders.

The order escalates a fierce legal battle over prime public land, placing the county's leadership under intense judicial scrutiny. At the heart of the matter is a petition filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah on June 19, 2024, alleging that valuable public properties were being illegally privatized. The governor's political future and the stewardship of public assets in Busia are now on the line.

Alongside Governor Otuoma, the County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Lands, Peter Khasamule Odima, was also cited as a respondent in the contempt proceedings. Judge Olao directed both officials to file an undertaking within 14 days confirming their full compliance with the original court orders issued on June 27 and July 10, 2024. They are scheduled to appear in person on March 2, 2026, to argue against their committal to civil jail.

A Battle for Public Assets

The dispute centers on allegations that the county government continued with transactions and development on protected land despite explicit court orders to halt all activities. Senator Omtatah’s petition identified several key public parcels he claimed were being irregularly converted to private ownership for unlawful allocation.

The properties in question are vital to the Busia community and include land housing the:

• Busia Vocational Training Centre
• Soko Posta Market
• Agricultural Training College

In court filings, CEC Odima had argued that any developments on the land predated the court orders and dismissed the petition as politically motivated. However, the court noted that Governor Otuoma himself never filed a personal response to the allegations. Judge Olao emphasized that obedience to court orders is mandatory and not a matter of choice for any citizen, regardless of their status.

The upcoming court appearance is now a critical date. It will determine whether the county's top leadership will face punitive action in a landmark case that tests the boundaries of executive authority and the sanctity of the rule of law in land governance.