Members of Parliament (MPs) from Kakamega County are now accusing Governor Fernandes Barasa of sidelining them early on despite their immense support in bringing his administration up since the campaign period.
The MPs have referred to the recent Mashujaa Day celebrations in which they claim the governor did not invite them.
Mumias West MP Johnson Naicca said attempts to seek audience with Barasa have proved futile and that he has refrained from having personal engagements with them.
“We campaigned for him. Why can’t he be in touch with us individually?” Naicaa said.
Only two of the 13 MPs turned up for the event at Bukhungu Stadium on Thursday, despite Azimio la Umoja, in which Barasa was elected under ODM, having 11 lawmakers who overwhelmingly supported hi bid.
Senior county government officials who attended the event were Barasa himself, his deputy Ayub Savula, Women Rep Elsie Muhanada, Mumias East MP Peter Salasya and County Commissioner Joseph Odego.
Also present was Prof. George Wajackoyah, who contested in the August 9 Presidential Election.
Prof. Wajackoyah warned Barasa of playing cold to allies, saying it was a dangerous move.
“You don’t receive phone calls, you don’t engage with other leaders, and this will likely cost you in the end. If you are not careful, you may end up serving for only one term,” he said.
This is unlike his predecessor, Wycliffe Oparanya, who could bring together legislators from the whole county in hallmark public events, and had a close relationship with them.
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.
