The race for Kakamega speaker has taken a regional dimension.
Contestants are mobilising support from among MCAs based on where they come from, and not their political parties.
Candidates from the central and northern regions feel the speaker's seat should go to either of the two regions, since the governor comes from the south. The race has attracted seven candidates so far.
They are former Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito, Dr Brian Lishenga from central region, Leonard Shimaka, Soita Kasaya, former majority leader Kennedy Kilwake and immediate former speaker Morris Buluma from the northern region and lawyer James Namatsi from the south.
It has now emerged that Governor Fernandes Barasa signed an MoU with the Kabras community promising to give Malava the speaker'sposition if he won the seat.
According to the agreement inked on July 11 and witnessed by the Kabaras Council of Elders at Malava Friend’s Church, the northern region was to get the speaker and two senior county positions in addition to the deputy governor for purposes of regional balance.
But Barasa is said to have changed mind and is now pushing Namatsi from the same region as choice for the seat.
Deputy Governor Ayub Savula acknowledged the MoU but Barasa declined to comment on the document only saying, "I am not pushing Wamats. This is just propaganda.”
But Savula told the Star that it was his suggestion that the seat be given to Malava.
“It was my suggestion during the Kabras meeting that we give Malava the seat. We will however consult with the governor and advise the MCAs how to vote,” he said on the phone.
The current push could snowball into a vote based on regions and not political parties that could jolt ODM which enjoys the majority in the assembly. ODM won 48 of the 60 elected MCAs.
The battle for the speaker could create an early rift between the governor and his deputy. Barasa is said to be vouching for a candidate without political affiliation to be the speaker.
On Sunday, Barasa met a section of MCAs from the north and told them he doesn’t want a speaker who is affiliated to either of the political sides.
Edited by Henry Makori
