Some leaders in Teso North have opposed the planned installation of area MP Oku Kaunya as the spokesperson of the Iteso community in Kenya.
They said the spokesman’s position is already occupied by the Iteso Cultural leader, His Royal Highness Emorimor Papa Sande Emolot and the Deputy Prime Minister Fredrick Adung’o, who is domiciled in Kenya.
Addressing the press in Malaba, MCAs Gardy Jakaa, Isaac Wamalwa and Patrick Omanyala said the position is a sensitive matter to Iteso community and cannot be held by a politician.
Omanyala said the move to install Kaunya is driven by politics and a plan to stage a coup against the Iteso Cultural leader His Royal Highness Emorimor Papa Sande Emolot who is currently in South Africa.
“We don’t need another spokesman other than Emorimor. Iteso are together from Katakwa to Katakwi,” he said. Jakaa termed the planned coronation scandalous, wondering which process was used to pick Kaunya.
“The MP has a platform to talk about anything to defend the Iteso community to get jobs or development,” he said. Wamalwa asked Kaunya to resign as an MP if he wants to become spokesperson for the community, adding that the planned installation will split the community.
“He has a right to visit any office to speak on behalf of the community as an MP if he wants,” he said.
The Royal Council of Iteso Kingdom/Community had sent out an invitation for the inauguration of Kaunya as the community spokesperson in Kenya.
“The Royal Council of Iteso Kingdom/ Community humbly requests your esteemed presence at the coronation and inauguration event of Edward Oku Kaunya as the Iteso people spokesman in the whole of Kenya to be held on September 20, 2025 at Amagoro Primary grounds in Teso North from 9 am,” the invitation reads.
“Your presence will be a great honour as we celebrate this historic occasion of leadership, unity and heritage. Join us as we mark the beginning of a new era of service, progress and commitment,” it read further.
The occasion will be graced by His Royal Highness and attended by National Assembly speaker, Moses Wetang’ula, governors, MPs, MCAs, Eminent persons, Teso elders and Teso delegations drawn from Teso North, South, Nambale, Matayos, Samia, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia and Turkana leaders and John Munyes among others.
Principal Secretary in the office of the president Arthur Osiya who is eyeing the Busia governor seat in 2027, said cultural leadership is not within Kaunya’s mandate.
Osiya through his official Facebook page said there is need to distinguish between Iteso traditional cultural institutions and modern political structures.
“These two serve complementary but separate roles—one preserving our identity and the other shaping our development. The sacred responsibility lies with His Royal Highness, King Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot—our paramount chief and cultural leader across Kenya, Uganda, and the diaspora,” he said.
He said King Emolot has upheld traditions, resolved disputes, promoted education and unified people since his installation in 2022.
