Sam Kotiende Rateng’ Okoth Vows to Restore Peace and Development in Kasipul on UPA Ticket.
Kasipul parliamentary aspirant Sam Kotiende Rateng’ Okoth addresses the press outlining his manifesto under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) ticket in Nairobi.
Kasipul parliamentary aspirant Sam Kotiende Rateng’ Okoth has pledged to restore peace, unity, and development in the constituency if elected in the 2027 General Election on a United Progressive Alliance (UPA) ticket.
Speaking during an interview, Kotiende said he chose UPA because of its clean image and reformist agenda, noting that the constituency has suffered for years from divisive politics, violence, and corruption.
“I wanted a party with a clean slate, a party void of violence and corrupt practices. Kasipul has been muddled with violence and mudslinging, brother fighting against brother. UPA provides a fresh start that will help me clean Kasipul and Kenya as well,” he said.
Kotiende expressed confidence in UPA’s presidential candidate, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i, saying his development record and reform credentials made him the right choice to lead Kenya.
“Matiang’i is significantly recognised for his efforts to turn around this country. His track record is clear, and I believe he would make a very good president. Kenya needs transformation,” he said.
On his manifesto, Kotiende outlined women and youth empowerment, education, agriculture, water supply, and infrastructure as his top priorities. He said women in Kasipul had been pushed into predatory lending schemes with high interest rates, leaving many humiliated and impoverished.
“Our women are now being given soft loans and it’s terrible. You should see when they are being chased around by lenders. My agenda is to protect and empower them through structured financial support and community programmes,” he said.
On education, he promised to push for reforms in bursary allocation, terming the current system skewed and discriminatory.
“I will table a motion in Parliament to withdraw bursary allocations from MPs, governors, women representatives and the presidency. These funds should be harmonised at the Treasury and remitted directly to schools to achieve free education. It is possible and it is happening elsewhere,” Kotiende noted.
The aspirant also emphasised agriculture, describing Kasipul as historically the breadbasket of Nyanza but now reduced to food aid and handouts.
“I want to bring a paradigm shift in agriculture. My first motion will be to push for free fertiliser and seeds for our farmers. Kasipul must reclaim its role as a food producer,” he said, pledging to drive value addition for local produce to increase household income.
For youth, Kotiende promised skills development and training opportunities to help unemployed young people and school dropouts.
“Many youths who did not complete school can still gain skills in masonry, carpentry, welding, and other trades. Those doing Boda Boda should spend part of the day riding and the other part learning a skill. My leadership will give them that chance,” he said.
On infrastructure, he said he would prioritise drilling affordable boreholes and improving roads.
“Boreholes currently cost up to KSh2 million, but we can acquire drilling equipment and reduce the cost to about KSh200,000. This will give every village access to water. Similarly, we will buy a grader to maintain our roads internally rather than outsource at high cost,” he said.
Addressing insecurity, Kotiende blamed poor leadership for persistent conflicts in the constituency. He pledged to act as a unifying figure capable of reconciling warring factions.
“Insecurity in Kasipul is not innate among our people; it is a product of leadership. I am seen as the peacemaker, the one person who can talk to both sides and bring back peace. Within 30 days of my leadership, insecurity will be a thing of the past,” he said.
He promised to convene a “Kasipul Want Forum” within his first month in office to gather community priorities and revive traditional artisan skills alongside agriculture.
“I will be the marketing manager for our people. They are going to give me a salary, and in return, I will open up new markets for their products,” he affirmed.
Kotiende concluded by urging Kasipul residents to embrace change, unity, and development through UPA’s reformist platform.
