A dispute over the leadership of Ongoceng Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO in Kwania District has escalated, with one of the candidates threatening to sue the district local government over alleged irregularities in the election process.
Felix Okwanga, who contested for the SACCO chairperson position against Adupa Sam, alleges that the election held on July 2, 2026, was mishandled and that the subsequent declaration of his rival as winner was unlawful. In a demand and notice of intention to sue dated August 4, 2026, Okwanga, through his lawyer Emmanuel Egaru of Egaru and Company Advocates, claims he won the election with 685 votes against Adupa’s 630.
Okwanga alleges that Kwania District Principal Commercial Officer Catherine Akello declined to declare the results, citing chaos during the election. He further claims that Akello later announced on the radio that the election had been nullified and that a fresh election would be conducted.
However, Okwanga says he was later surprised when Adupa was declared the winner by a margin of 12 votes and subsequently gazetted as the SACCO chairperson. He argues that the actions amounted to abuse of office, intimidation, bad faith and violation of the law governing cooperative societies and the principles of natural justice.
Okwanga is demanding that Kwania District Local Government revoke the declaration and gazettement of Adupa Sam and any other persons he alleges were unlawfully gazetted. He is also demanding a written explanation reconciling the earlier announcement nullifying the election with the subsequent declaration and gazettement of Adupa.
When contacted for comment, Principal Commercial Officer Catherine Akello said she was out of office. Kwania Chief Administrative Officer Fredrick Herbert Kitutu acknowledged receipt of the demand letter and said he had directed the District Commercial Department to address the matter. Kitutu said the department would organise a fresh election in an effort to resolve the dispute peacefully.
The dispute now puts the leadership of the Ongoceng PDM SACCO in uncertainty, with the district administration expected to organise a fresh election to settle the contest-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
