Butula Member of Parliament Hon. Joseph Oyula is one of the best performing legislators in the country, as per now.
The MP, who is serving his second term, was elected on an ODM ticket in a hotly contested race breaking the one-term jinx as he is the first Member of Parliament to be voted in twice in the constituency.
Mzee, as commonly known in the constituency, has done so much for his people by initiating projects that can benefit and change livelihoods of the Marachi.
Top on his agenda has been the issue of bursary allocation, as they say, education is the only equaliser that is known currently. Mzee has given it priority and he has done this without discrimination or bias.
Over Kshs22 million was given out to secondary schools in Butula for needy students.
“Priority is given to Butula schools as we want value addition in our schools,” he says.
Speaking to this writer, Anthony Kwena a supporter of the MP said that he has interests of his people at heart and does not condone corruption at all.
“We want our children to get quality education without anything coming in between them. Most schools are being developed and improved to see to it that our children from Butula get the best education…Butula NG-CDF is a corruption free zone,” pointed Mr Kwena.
Hon. Oyula is credited with establishment of several schools among them:
- Sirandala Primary School-established.
- Namwutsula Secondary – established, built new toilets and has bought land for expansion.
- Esibina Primary – two morden classrooms.
- Bwaliro Secondary – morden classrooms.
Sikura Primary, Bukati Primary and Bumala ”A” all have modern classrooms courtesy of Hon. Joseph Oyula.
Other notable project that is credited to Hon. Oyula is the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) at Bumala “B” and a Butula Technical Training and Vocational College in Bujumba that are opening their doors for admission very soon.
Hon. Oyula notes that, one can’t realise production in a hostile environment and wants learners to take their studies seriously, eat and sleep in a good environment.
“A good environment motivates learners to work hard for impressive results. That is why we have prioritised modern classes, security, classic dormitories among other things that add value to our people,” he says.
He notes that security of the people is a key factor in his administration and that is why through NG-CDF, he has built the best police administration block in Kenya to boost on security issues in Butula.
He says he has also connected several villages with electricity, among them Imanga, Namusala and Bumakhudu in Elugulu Ward.
“When I assumed office in 2017, I had a difficult time as almost all sectors especially in education had failed. I vowed to fulfil my promises that I had made to my people who had entrusted me with their votes and I asked God to help me so that I don’t fail,” he says.
Within a very short time, he adds, we have done a tremendous job and I am glad that the electorates are happy with what we have been able to achieve. Among them:
- A storied building at Bumala AC Secondary in Bumala “A”
- Built four modern classes at Ogango Primary School.
- Fencing of Bumala AC Primary School
- Built four modern classes at Buria Primary School.
- Built four (4) Modern classes at Esibembe Secondary School.
- Refurbished a dormitory at Buhuyi Secondary School.
- Refurbished ten (10) classes at Tingolo Primary School.
- Refurbished classes at Kalakani Primary School
- Fencing of Bwaliro Secondary School.
- Built 8 door toilet at Bwaliro Primary School.
- Refurbished a dormitory at Lugulu AC Secondary School.
- Built three modern classes at Bujumba Secondary School and tiled them.
- Built 4 modern classes at Bulwani Secondary.
- Built 2 modern classes at Butula Boys Primary and 4-door toilets.
- Built 3 modern classes at Bukati Primary School.
- Built an administration at Burinda Primary School.
“I was given mandate by the great people of Butula to serve them and I’ll be doing a major injustice to myself if I don’t take care of their interests. I have done what I can and I am still going to do more until every part of this constituency is developed. I urge my people to be patient and continue supporting me,” said Hon. Oyula.
We want to have many health professionals and other professionals in Butula no wonder more inputs are being put into the education sector.
Pundits aver that, Hon. Oyula has been able to achieve more on matters education because he has good people around him and always listens to needs and demands of his people.
Professor Shiundu of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega is touted to be the best brain behind Benga University College which is a constituent college of the Kakamega based university.
Benga University was established during the regime of Mama Christine Mango but in consultation with other stakeholders and professionals from Busia, it is likely to be the second university in Busia after Alupe University was awarded a Charter by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Plans towards establishment of a Teachers Training College in Elugulu Ward are also at an advanced stage.
On roads, Hon.Oyula is currently working on:
- Buria-Bujumba Road,
- Butula-Nambale Road, and
- Ogalo-Lugulu Road.
“To improve mobility in Butula, we saw it fit to improve the said roads so that our people can make easy access to centres around Butula constituency,” he says.
Rehema Juma, a resident of Elugulu Ward has kind words for the MP owing to his impressive performance in terms of infrastructure and education.
“I am a beneficiary of his bursary and I can confidently confirm school fees is a menace to many and I thank Mheshimiwa for at least making my life better,” Juma said.
Hon. Oyula has petitioned the President, William Ruto, to at least help him connect over 10,000 households on the national grid, something that the President has agreed.
“The good thing with having leaders who have interests of their people at heart is that they tend to push for the things that can change livelihoods of their subjects. We are grateful to have a leader who is approachable and always there for us,” said an electorate from Butula.
