Kakamega region witnesses upheaval as factionalism intensifies within the ODM party, with Barasa at the center of the turmoil.
In the political landscape of Kakamega, tensions are running high as Governor Fernandes Barasa faces mounting opposition from within his own party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The governor's hold on county politics and the ODM leadership in the Western region is being challenged by a group of legislators, led by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera.
Nabwera, a former ODM supporter, has accused Barasa of failing to fulfil many of his promises in the county and not being able to elevate the ODM party amid competition from parties like DCP, Ford-Kenya, DAP-K, and UDA. He has also claimed that Barasa has divided loyalty, a factor he believes is being exploited by his opponents to harm the ODM party.
Barasa, however, insists that the MPs' rebellion is being orchestrated by ODM heavyweights, including former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who is currently the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives, and National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula, to weaken the ODM party and pave the way for new regional parties. Oparanya has denied these claims.
Seven out of Kakamega's 12 MPs are supporting Nabwera in an attempt to oust Barasa as ODM chair and potentially as governor in 2027. Among these MPs are Christopher Aseka, Oscar Nabulindo, Bernard Shinali, Emmnauel Wangwe, and Kakamega Women Representative Elsie Muhanda.
Muhanda has accused Barasa of not taking Kakamega beyond the level of development achieved by former governor Oparanya. She has also declared her readiness for the ODM polls and has proposed the use of a secret ballot method for voting.
Malala, who argues that he is the only young and energetic politician who has the capacity to beat Barasa, Khalwale, Muhanda, and any other opponent, has also thrown his hat in the ring. Khalwale, who maintains that this is his right time to clinch the seat after being duped into supporting Malala in the last polls, is another formidable contender.
Barasa, however, boasts of his achievements, including the construction of a 10-kilometre road per ward, the completion of the Lugarigari Maize Plant, the ongoing construction of the Matawatawa Fertiliser Plant, and the completion of the Buteretere Level Four Hospital.
The rift between Barasa, Nabwera, and legislators deepened when Nabwera and several Kakamega MPs skipped a delegates' meeting attended by Raila Odinga, only to show up the next day at an event organized by Oparanya. This move was seen as a direct threat to ODM dominance in the region, as Nabwera is pushing for a regional political party under the Western caucus.
Political analyst Dr Barack Muluka argues that Oparanya, Wetangula, and Mudavadi want to kill ODM in Western for political survival. This assertion adds fuel to the already volatile situation in Kakamega, where the future of the ODM party and its leadership are uncertain.
Aseka, who supports Nabwera's bid to be the ODM county chairman to bring harmony among leaders and strengthen the party, believes that the time for change is now. Whether this change will lead to a shift in power remains to be seen as the elections approach.
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