Bungoma CEC nominee shocks elders as he denies being Teso
Dr Anthony Walela (centre, in tie), a CEC nominee for the Health and Sanitation docket in Bungoma County on November 15, 2017. PHOTO | TITUS OTEBA | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
What you need to know:
- Dr Anthony Walela was earlier seen with Teso elders, who say his family was originally from Teso North but was assimilated by the Bukusu.
- He denied being nominated to represent the minority Iteso community in the Cabinet.
A nominee for the Health and Sanitation docket in Bungoma County shocked the vetting committee and members of the public on Wednesday when he denied his being a Teso.
Dr Anthony Walela said he is a Bukusu, but Iteso elders insisted he is a Teso.
TRIBE
He was nominated for the position of County Executive Committee member.
Mr Emmanuel Situma, the chairman of the Committee on Appointment, had asked Dr Walela to introduce himself and tell them from which tribe he comes from.
"I’m an original Bukusu and not a Teso as some people have been alluding," Dr Walela said.
ELDERS
Earlier, the nominee had been flanked by proud Iteso elders led by Bungoma Teso United Chairman Mr Erick Ajuk.
But they were surprised when Dr Walela, who they said had been assimilated by the Bukusu, denied being a Teso.
"Dr Walela is an Iteso from Tulienge Village in Teso North, an Igoria by clan. But his grandfather moved to Bungoma earlier on and [they] were assimilated by the Bukusu. Does it deny him a right of being an Iteso?" asked Mr Ajuk.
INTERESTS
Mbakalo MCA Bethwel Mwambu asked Dr Walela if he had been nominated to represent the minority Iteso community in the Cabinet.
Dr Walela vehemently denied being a Teso and representing their interests.
"I was asked about the issue of the Iteso. Honestly, they will be disappointed that I’m not an Iteso but a Bukusu. Even if you greeted me in Iteso I can't answer you back because I’m a Bukusu," he told the committee.
The vetting of the 10 CEC nominees for various slots continues at Bungoma's KIE Hall and ends on Friday.
