- Barasa dismissed reports that he is preparing ground to shift his political allegiance from the Orange Party to the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
- Barasa came out to rubbish claims that the ODM party has lost ground in Western Kenya region.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has come out to rubbish claims that the ODM party has lost ground in Western Kenya region.
The county boss also dismissed reports that he is preparing ground to shift his political allegiance from the Orange Party to the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Speaking during a funeral in Mumias West sub-county, Barasa said the ODM outfit is solid and firm in Western Kenya and that he will firmly remain in the party which is led by Raila Odinga.
“As ODM members, we want to say that ODM is the party to beat in Kakamega county,” the governor said during the funeral of nominated MCA Phaustine Auma Werimo.
“I want to confirm, as your governor that we are in ODM to stay.”
The governor said he will continue cooperating and collaborating with the national government for sake of development and not politics.
“As a governor, by working with the national government it does not mean that I have defected. We must get development here because we are serving the same people,” he said.
At the same time, Barasa affirmed that the opposition coalition Azimio is united under the leadership of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.
“The ODM party is solid and all the principals in Azimio from the former president Uhuru Kenyatta,Raila and Kalonzo Musyoka are committed to Azimio,” he said.
The governor also tore into Senator Bonny Khalwale over remarks that he was instrumental in securing the county's share of national revenue.
Barasa warned Khalwale against trying to take credit for the resources allocated to Kakamega county saying that is the mandate of the senate and not an individual senator.
“Last week our senator was trying peddle lies that he is the one who appropriates money for Kakamega county. That is misinformation,” Barasa said.
“I want Senator Khalwale to stop misleading people and focus on his work as a Senator for Kakamega. Let him focus on oversight as provided for by the Constitution.”
Barasa spoke earlier when he presided over the official opening of the review process of the 3rd Generation Draft County Integrated Development Plan 2023-2027 (CIDP).