Ugenya Demographics
Ugenya Constituency covering 310 Sq Kilometres is one of the One Hundred and Twenty Four (124) original constituencies that were in existence at independence in 1963. In 2013 however, the Ugenya Constituency was split by the Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission (IEBC) into two to form Ugenya and Ugunja Constituencies. At present Ugenya Constituency is one of the Six (6) Constituencies in Siaya County and is Composed of Four (4) Wards namely East, West, North & Ukwala Wards; Six (6) locations and Twenty Six (26) Sub-locations. The Constituency has a population of approximately 108,934 as at the year 2012.
According to the Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission, the constituency which has a total of 57,603 registered voters has 112 polling stations an increase from 39,792 in 2013. In the 8th August 2017 elections, the voter turnout was 82.16% of registered voters. West Ugenya Ward has 31 Polling stations with a total of 15, 595 registered voters followed by East Ugenya Ward with 31 polling stations with 15, 293 voters. North Ugenya Ward has 27 Polling Stations with 14,300 registered voters followed by Ukwala Ward with 23 Polling Stations with 12, 415 registered voters.
Constituency Leadership
Former MPs for Ugenya include Hon. Christopher Odhiambo Karan, who was elected to the position on 8th August 2017. His predecessors were Hon. David Ouma Ochieng, Hon. Senator James Aggrey Orengo, The Late Hon. Archbishop Stephen Oluoch Ondiek, The Late Hon. Mathews Joseph Ogutu and the First MP for Ugenya the Late Hon. John Odero – Sar. The Constituency seat in Parliament fell vacant after three consecutive Courts nullified the election of the immediate Member of National Assembly Mr. Chris Karan following a successful petition by the former MP David Ochieng who had lost to Mr. Karan by around 300 votes. The High Court judge Tripsisa Cherere had in the ruling indicated that the MP for Ugenya, Siaya County, and the Orange Democratic Movement fraternity engaged in a smear campaign against his predecessor, Mr. David Ochieng, and the Movement for Democracy and Growth. The judge said that Mr. Karan had profited from a perverted electioneering period. This was followed by the Court of Appeal which ruled through Justice Hannah Okwengu, that the irregularities subverted the will of the voters. “In the circumstances of this case, I too found that the nature of the malpractices was very grave thus putting the election of the applicant in doubt; elections were validly nullified,” Ms. Okwengu ruled.
The History of Ugenya Clans
The Ugenya people also known as Jo Ugenya are descendants of Omolo. Ragenya from whom Ugenya derives its name had five direct descendants namely Ger, Puny, Boro, Muot, Nyada, Deje. Nyada was assimilated into Alego, and later moved to Homa Bay with some members of Khan (kagan). JoBoro mainly occupy central Ugenya near Ambira, and some parts of Sega, spilling over to busia around Bumala. Jodeje (Kateg) are mainly in East Ugenya, in got Nanga, Jera, Ligose, Ralak, Mauna, Lela and surrounding areas. Jokanyamuot are mainly between Rangala and Sidindi though some of them live in Gem. Jokapuny also known as Jo Masiro mainly occupy Masiro Kathieno, Anyiko, Nyawara, Bar Ober, Ligega, Got Nanga. JoKager are the most dispersed, found in literally all parts of Ugenya and Ugunja constituencies. They are also found in Mumias, Butere, Gem, Busia, Alego, and Kano among other places.
There are several other clans that live in Ugenya, including: Jokaramogi, jo Jok, jo Yenga, joSiranga, joKamrembo, joKanywa, joKasideg, joka Nyalaro joKanyaudo, and others. Some of these clans are of Luo origin while others are not. However, they have all been assimilated into Ugenya. Jo Jok, for instance, are related directly to joka Chwanya from Milambo. Questions have been raised about the origins of jo Uholo in Ugunja constituency, and whether they are Luo. When Ramogi crossed into Kenya, he left behind his brother around Tororo area in present-day Uganda. The brother suffered a bad wound (adhola) that hindered his mobility. Hence the name Jo Padhola in Uganda. They are also known as Wadama in Uganda. As the clan grew bigger, some of them crossed into Kenya through Malaba, and finally settled in the present day Uholo
Ugenya County Assembly Wards
