Fernandes Barasa of ODM, a party long held together by Former Prime Minister and Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga, and which Wycliffe Oparanya came into power with in 2013, has ensured Raila’s grip on the Western region stays put.
Concluded provisional results from the Kakamega gubernatorial race shows that Mr. Barasa has trounced his closest opponent, Cleophas Malala of ANC whose leader is Musalia Mudavadi, an ally of DP William Ruto in Kenya Kwanza.
Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula of Ford Kenya were eager to end Raila Odinga’s dominance in Western Kenya after promising DP Ruto to deliver 70% of Mulembe votes to his presidential basket, and Malala was part of the grand plan.
Wetang’ula made his promise true after he ensured 70% of Bungoma County, his traditional stronghold, votes went to William Ruto, a fact many political analysts said helped Ruto be declared President-elect on August 9, 2022.
But Mudavadi failed to deliver on his, instead witnessed Raila sweeping his own bedroom of Vihiga after Wilberforce Ottichilo retained his seat as governor, Busia went to Paul Otuoma and Trans Nzoia County was won by George Natembeya.
In Kakamega, the ODM party won nine out of the 12 parliamentary seats, two going to ANC and one to Raila’s affiliate party, DAP-K.
How Barasa’s win cements Raila’s grip on Kakamega County
Barasa is just a step away from being declared the second governor-elect of Kakamega to take over from Wycliffe Oparanya, who endorsed him during the campaigning period.
Barasa winning the gubernatorial seat, thus, makes Odinga’s legacy as the most preferred national leader in the county lives on.
Mr. Barasa has managed to win in seven out of 12 constituencies as shown in provisional (not yet verified) results below:
Constituency | Fernandes Barasa | Cleophas Malala |
1. Lugari | 20,280 | 13,331 |
2. Likuyani | 18,197 | 9,018 |
3. Malava | 10,112 | 30,949 |
4. Matungu | 25,077 | 11,344 |
5. Mumias West | 16,305 | 6,750 |
6. Mumias East | 14,828 | 9,107 |
7. Butere | 19,388 | 7,853 |
8. Lurambi | 19,712 | 19,863 |
9. Khwisero | 15,322 | 6,499 |
10. Shinyalu | 12,505 | 15,974 |
11. Navakholo | 9,967 | 17,185 |
12. Ikolomani | 11,075 | 11,402 |
Total | 192,768 | 159,275 |
Sam Oduor is the founder and one of the editors at WKT. With a strong background in Communication and Journalism, Sam is an experienced digital media expert currently building a team of young professionals dedicated to telling the story of our community in a unique, authentic way.