ODM Governor Fernandes Barasa Denies Decamping to UDA
Governor of Kakamega Fernandes Barasa has denied rumors that he has defected from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of President William Ruto.
Saturday, during the launch of the Kakamega County Governors Cup, the county administrator emphasized that his support for the current administration is exclusively aimed at fostering cordial relations with the national government so that Kakamega can benefit from development projects.
“As the governor, my priority is to serve the people of Kakamega with the help of the National Government,” he explained.
Barasa, a governor elected by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, has been photographed frequently conversing with President William Ruto.
During the President’s tour of the Western region, Barasa welcomed President Ruto to his residence, causing speculation about his political goals.
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Barasa emphasized, however, that he was under no obligation to justify his relationship with the president to political commentators who questioned his political moves.
Fernandes Barasa applauded the president’s efforts to revitalize the country’s sugar industries, particularly those in Western Kenya.
Barasa, who is facing multiple graft charges, praised the President’s initiatives to revitalize the sugar industry, stating that they will go a long way toward alleviating the plight of cane producers.
“You have seen that after only two days of issuing an order what is happening in Mumias and we want to support the president in all he is doing,” he stated.
Since assuming power, Ruto has recruited ODM-aligned politicians to his UDA Party. The opposition has protested the operation, describing it as an affront to democracy and adding that it is eroding the strength of other political parties.
Meanwhile, corruption allegations against Barasa originate from his tenure as CEO of Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).
The Governor is accused of misappropriating Ksh785 million for the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) project.
ODM Governor Fernandes Barasa Denies Decamping to UDA
