The people of Butsotso East are facing another critical moment. The 2027 election will not be just about picking a Member of County Assembly (MCA). It will shape the ward’s future for years. Four candidates are competing for the seat, each with a different agenda. At the heart of the discussion is Matikho Josephat, a leader with a proven track record of service and a vision for positive change.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Candidate A: Mama Fridah Matati
Mama Fridah Matati, who served from 2013 to 2017, is seeking re-election to secure her retirement savings. However, residents have mixed feelings about her previous term. She faced accusations of favoring her Bunyore community for jobs and contracts while neglecting those from Butsotso East. Her comments about “bathed” residents and calling elders “useless” left lasting scars. This history led to her defeat in 2017, though she is now hoping for a comeback.
Candidate B: Hon. Mathews
Hon. Mathews held office from 2017 to 2022, rising to power largely to oust Mama Fridah, who had become unpopular. Yet, his leadership style was seen as remote and self-serving. With strong connections to the Governor through the Finance Committee, he faced accusations of being unkind and out of touch. Voters also rejected him after one term. Now, he seeks to return, claiming he needs “an extra term to finish unfinished business” before retiring.
Candidate C: Dickson Lovegah
The current MCA, Dickson Lovegah, has been in office since 2022. His leadership has received significant criticism. A viral video showed him calling Butsotso residents “very poor,” which sparked public outrage. Lovegah has openly stated that his top priority is to recoup the money he spent on his campaign. As a result, he has suspended financial support for funerals and church events, saying he will “come later.” He has also boasted that in 2027, he will buy votes with rice and beans, as he did before.
Candidate D: Matikho Josephat
In contrast, Matikho Josephat offers a new style of leadership focused on service and a vision for the future, not on retirement, recovering campaign money, or unfulfilled promises.
A Proven Record of Service
Even without the MCA position, Matikho has made a real difference in Butsotso East:
– Registered residents for NHIF in 2020 under the AMREF iPUSH program, covering two years of premiums.
– Provided subsidized seeds to farmers, enhancing food security.
– Distributed masks to 90% of local churches during the COVID-19 pandemic.
– Supported churches, including tiling the Salvation Army in Emmasera, acquiring instruments for Emmachembee Church of God and Shianda, and helping with construction at Emmachembee Friends Church.
– Offered bursaries to over 40 students.
– Provided desks to primary schools to ease classroom congestion.
– Assisted community groups like Wamama na Mapambo in Isanjiro by helping them acquire tents for their activities.
– Organized medical camps with Oasis and Lishenga Foundation, including one at Emasera Primary School.
Matikho also collaborates with development partners. He has teamed up with Vikiru, who is launching the Vikiru Foundation, an initiative focused on accountability, transparency, and positive leadership. This collaborative spirit shows that Matikho believes true leadership means bringing people together for progress.
Voters in Butsotso East now have a clear choice:
– Re-elect a leader rejected for favoritism and disrespect.
– Return a leader who did not deliver and is preparing for retirement.
– Maintain a leader who sees leadership as a way to recover campaign money.
– Or choose Matikho Josephat, who has a proven history of community service, a vision for fairness, and the drive to transform Butsotso East into a model of responsible and positive leadership.
The ballot will determine whether Butsotso East continues with familiar leaders or embraces a future that promises respect, fairness, and genuine change.
Matikho Josephat is not seeking leadership for personal gain but asking for the opportunity to transform Butsotso East now and prepare it for the future.
