Budalang’i Member of Parliament Raphael Wanjala has demanded the construction of a bypass in Busia town to ameliorate the challenge of traffic snarl-ups occasioned by tanker trucks.

Speaking during an economic empowerment programme in Busia County on Friday, July 18, 2025, the legislator challenged Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to consider travelling through the territory’s roads to experience the challenge firsthand.

Wanjala maintained that the border town has remained behind despite playing a key role in the growth of the nation based on its strategic location as a border county.

“There is nothing that enters through the Mombasa port that doesn’t come out via Busia port. So, Busia has contributed to bringing money into the country. We need to be given priority. We want a bypass here to get the tankers off our roads. That is our priority.

He further stated the risk posed by the vehicles transporting large quantities of liquid cargo.

“We have suffered with tankers on our roads. One day they will go up in flames: you will not find people here,” he warned.

Meanwhile, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma challenged area residents to adopt a strategic approach to their politics in a bid to enhance the region’s bargaining power nationally.

Speaking at the same function, Otuoma opined that proper positioning and participation in political processes remain key in bringing notable development to the region.

“Let us not be people who stay behind and wait after things have been decided, and then we go to beg. We are now mature politically, and we need to take an active role and act strategically to be at that table. We must also be among those who decide where the nation is going. We should not just be waiting to see how things are going so that we plan ourselves,” he implored.

Otuoma further defended ODM leader Raila Odinga’s decision to close ranks with President William Ruto under the broad-based arrangement, affirming that the ODM leader elected to put the nation’s interest first.

“You know we did not vote for Ruto, but even Baba put the rivalry aside and said the nation is more important than an individual. You heard others say he loves handshakes. Did they want Baba to leave the country to burn?” He posed.