Barasa, Khalwale Clash Again Over Management of Kakamega
Governor Fernandes Barasa of Kakamega and Senator Boni Khalwale have once more found themselves in disagreement regarding the administration of the county.
In a video observed by Gossipa2z, the two leaders engaged in a verbal exchange regarding their commitment to serving the public during a meeting at a funeral in Lubao.
In his speech, Khalwale emphasized that Governor Fernandes ought to shift his attention away from the 2027 election and instead concentrate on serving the residents of Kakamega.
He maintained that, irrespective of the individual, by the year 2027, there should be a contender listed on the ballot against the governor.
Khalwale emphasized that he simply desires Barasa to execute projects uniformly across every constituency in Kakamega.
“I want to encourage you, governor. Remove your focus from the politics of 2027. 2027 will come and you will have an opponent. Be it Rose, Perpetua, or Dr Boni Khalwale, you’ll have an opponent,” he said.
“My brother, as I bring the money I want you to use the money this way, you implement a project in Matungu, and you also implement it in Shinyalu.”
Barasa replied by stating that Khalwale wouldn’t instruct him on how to fulfill his duties as the governor.
He asserted the importance of adhering to the manifesto that secured his election and emphasized the need to focus on his supervisory responsibilities.
“Khalwale you will not tell me how to work here. Your work is oversight and the constitution does not prescribe a senator telling the governor you will do this and this. I have a manifesto and the people of Kakamega elected me. Six-point agenda item. Khalwale you are not going to dictate how I implement my manifesto,” Barasa said.
He mentioned that Khalwale had neglected his duty to the residents of Kakamega and instead concentrated on aspiring to become the next governor, merely a year after being elected into office.
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“We elected you senator in 2022 and one year later you have forgotten your job and eyeing the governor’s seat. I want to tell you, wembe ni ule ule. Hawa watu tunafanyia kazi watakurudisha nyumbani,” he said.
The two leaders have conflicted with the county’s leadership, with Khalwale asserting that he can present a superior alternative to the current leadership in Kakamega.
Earlier this month, Khalwale alleged that Barasa had not adequately enhanced and advanced services in level 4 hospitals, despite being allocated Sh928 million for this purpose.
The funds were allocated to enhance services at Shibwe, Lwesero, Mumias, Khwisero, Butere, Likuyani, Navakholo, and Lumakanda hospitals.
“I have moved around all these hospitals and have not seen anything the money has done. The facilities remain as they were,” Khalwale said.
“Former Governor Oparanya spent Sh200 million to construct a modern funeral parlor and what the money did can be seen. Tell us what you have done with the money Mr Barasa.”
However, Barasa rejected the allegations and, in turn, attributed the responsibility to the senator, asserting that the senator did not effectively advocate for increased funds for the county in the Senate.
Addressing the audience in Matungu constituency at the inauguration of the 10-kilometer road initiative, Barasa asserted that Khalwale was involved with a faction of senators that opposed the allocation of an extra Sh22 billion to counties.
“This money would have been used to purchase drugs for our hospitals. Khalwale should know that the work of a senator is to defend and support devolution and not make noise,” the governor said.
Barasa mentioned that the counties have not yet received a significant share of the budget allotted by the National Treasury. He urged Khalwale to refrain from providing misleading information to the public.
He instructed Khalwale to advocate for the promotion of devolution by actively endorsing bills designed to guarantee adequate funding reaches the various counties.
Barasa, Khalwale Clash Again Over Management of Kakamega
