Governor Barasa, Khalwale trade barbs at Kakamega funeral

The governor told off the lawmaker, asking him to stick to his oversight mandate and stop meddling with his administration.

Khalwale had earlier accused the county chief of engaging in early 2027 campaigns.

But Barasa accused the senator of criticising projects being implemented in the county, including the ward roads project and those inherited from the previous regime for personnel gain.

“You cannot come to plan how I work, you should only have oversight because the constitution does not prescribe senators to tell governors what to do. You cannot direct how I implement my manifesto, your work is to vouch for more resources to the county,” he said.

“Senator Khalwale you are not doing your job, when there was a bill to add money to all the 47 counties you were on the frontline to oppose an additional Sh22 billion and this county lost Sh1 billion.” 

The governor faulted the lawmaker for derailing development in several parts of the county, including Ikolomani constituency, where he previously served as MP.

Khalwale had questioned why Barasa was going round the 60 wards commissioning 10km roads in every ward, a role he said should be done by MCAs.

He asked the governor to stop early 2027 campaigns using taxpayers' money under the pretext of public participation, launching and inspecting projects that should be done by ward representatives and focus on running the county.

Khalwale said that his role does not end at ensuring funds are disbursed to the counties. He also interrogates how the governor uses the disbursed resources. 

He said that his oversight role involves queries on the state of projects inherited from the former regime.

“Next week I will be meeting other senators as we plan on the budget for counties and I will summon you to ask how you have spent the Sh17 billion that was budgeted for this county,” the senator said.

Barasa denied Khalwale had brought Sh17 billion.

He termed efforts by the senator to reach out to retired governor Wycliffe Oparanya to support his governor bid as futile having fought Oparanya  between 2013 and 2017.

“You were the senator in 2013, ran for governor seat and failed in 2017, we gave you senator in 2022 and after a year you have started eyeing [the governor [seat] again," the governor said. 

The two leaders have been attacking each other in public forums in recent times. 

Barasa and Khalwale were speaking during the burial of former agricultural officer Joseph Khagali at Isukha North ward in Shinyalu constituency, which was also attended by MP Fred Ikana.