Busia Governor Otuoma Summoned for Contempt of Court Over Land Dispute
In a ruling delivered on December 17, Judge Boaz Olao found that Governor Otuoma deliberately disobeyed court orders relating to disputed public land in Busia County
By : Mweru Mbugua
Busia Governor Paul Nyongesa Otuoma has been ordered to appear in person before the Environment and Land Court in Busia to explain why he should not be committed to civil jail for contempt of court
In a ruling delivered on December 17, Judge Boaz Olao found that Governor Otuoma deliberately disobeyed court orders relating to disputed public land in Busia County
The court also cited Peter Khasamule Odima, the County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Lands, as the second respondent in the contempt proceedings
Judge Olao directed that both Otuoma and Odima must, within 14 days, execute and file an undertaking confirming full compliance with court orders issued on June 27 and July 10, 2024
They are further required to appear before the court on March 2, 2026, to show cause why they should not be sent to civil jail for defying court orders
The contempt proceedings follow a petition filed on June 19, 2024, by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah Okoiti, who accused the Busia County Executive, the CEC for Lands, and Mutiso Menezes International Consultants of irregularly converting public land into private ownership, including parcels housing the Busia Vocational Training Centre, Soko Posta Market, and the Agricultural Training College
The court had issued conservatory orders on June 27, 2024, halting all transactions and developments on the disputed land, and extended the suspension on July 10, 2024, pending the determination of the case
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In his defense, Odima submitted a replying affidavit on June 23, 2025, claiming any developments predated the court orders and denying Governor Otuoma’s involvement in allocation or development
He dismissed the petition as politically motivated and an abuse of court process
However, the court noted that Governor Otuoma failed to personally respond or file an affidavit to counter the allegations
Judge Olao also highlighted a May 27, 2024, letter from Odima acknowledging that land occupied by the vocational centre had been reallocated to the Busia County Referral Hospital, a position he could not later deny
Judge Olao ruled that both respondents knowingly ignored the court’s orders and stressed that compliance with court directives is mandatory, not optional
