AGALI SUB-COUNTY – In a series of campaign rallies across Agali and Barr sub-counties on Monday, Sam Engola, the NRM aspirant for Erute South and former area MP, issued a direct challenge to the constituency’s serving leaders, demanding they show “tangible accountability” for their time in office ahead of the 2026 elections.
Positioning himself as a proven alternative to the incumbent, UPC’s Jonathan Odur, Engola framed his bid for a “mandate” as a mission to rescue Erute South from poverty and developmental neglect.
Addressing supporters, Engola outlined a comprehensive development agenda focused on closing visible gaps. His key pledges include:
· Universal Rural Electrification: Vowing to ensure every village in Erute South gains access to electricity, highlighting that some areas still lack power.
· Road Network Improvement: Committing to upgrade and improve the constituency’s road networks.
· Water Access: Promising to restore broken boreholes to provide “green water,” claiming he has already begun such restoration work.
· Youth and Women Empowerment: Pledging to support community groups to boost household incomes and alleviate poverty.
· Education Support: Citing a track record of providing scholarships to over 350 students, he committed to continuing educational support.
· Increased PDM Funds: Advocating to double the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds from 1 million to 2 million shillings per parish.
Engola’s campaign heavily criticized the current MP, Jonathan Odur. He accused Odur of being “only vocal in parliament” while his constituency suffers without development. “People don’t want only talks but physical and tangible development,” Engola stated, asserting he had come to “fix the gap.” He reminded voters of his own tenure as MP from 2011-2016, asking them to trust his “past proven records.”
He defined the role of an MP as actively “lobbying for development” and fast-tracking government projects, a duty he implied was being neglected.
The sentiment on the ground, as captured in the rallies, showed frustration with the current leadership and support for Engola’s return.
· Mr. Opyene, a resident, contrasted Engola as a “man of the people” against an incumbent he called “too selfish,” accusing Odur of accumulating personal wealth instead of fostering development.
· Ray Opido, alias Labo Pe, expressed disappointment, stating they voted for Odur expecting work and development but have witnessed only lies, while neighboring areas progress.
· Eng Fred Apita, Vice Chairperson of the Erute South Elder Forum, declared an end to the “politics of lies, propaganda, and darkness,” emphasizing that constituents now demand tangible accountability from leaders.
A significant theme of the rally was the advantage of electing an NRM candidate.
Geoffrey Etwop, a clan head and long-serving NRM cadre, alongside Engola himself, argued that NRM MPs have superior access to national resources.
“NRM candidates…are like children whose mothers are in the kitchen cooking… opposition candidates don’t have their mothers in the kitchen; they are only peeping,” Etwop analogized, urging voters to choose candidates who sit in the “NRM caucus where the budget is made.”
Engola concluded by calling on the people of Erute to be vigilant in the 2026 election. He tasked all serving leaders to “show people what they have done” and to “tell voters the truth,” reiterating that constituents want “physical accountability rather than empty rhetoric.”
As the campaign season begins to take shape, Engola’s blend of direct critique, specific promises, and appeals to the practical benefits of being in the ruling party’s fold sets the stage for a competitive battle in Erute South.
