"I will not apologise for working with President Ruto" - ODM's Governor Fernandes Barasa

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa now says that he will not apologise for working with President William Ruto.

Speaking on Saturday, September 2, Governor Barasa said that having a good working relationship with President Ruto is for the benefit of Kakamega County residents.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) county boss was dismissing claims from some quarters that said that he had ditched the Raila Odinga-led party for President Ruto’s UDA.

President William Ruto and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa in Buhuru, Mumias West Sub-County, as they inaugurated the upgrade of the 8.5 KM Mumias-Musanda road to bitumen standard.

‘Nyinyi pigeni kelele tu!’

“Kwa wale ambao wanapiga kelele kule nje, wanasema at Gavana ameenda UDA…sisi tunashirikiana kimaendeleo. Mimi kama gavana my priority is to serve the people of Kakamega tukishirikiana na serikali kuu, kwa sababu nyinyi ndiyo mliochagua MCAs, MPs, Senators, Governors na President,” the governor said.

Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa shakes hands with President William Ruto during the inaugurating of the Kakamega County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) in Sinoko, Likuyani Sub-county, on August 30, 2023.

Barasa maintains that the Constitution recognises the collaboration between county governments and the National Government, to strengthen devolution.

“Katiba inatambua collaboration between the national government and county governments. Sisi kama governors we don’t have to apologise to anybody for working with the president.”

The claims of Barasa ditching ODM came up after President Ruto’s week-long tour of Western Kenya, where the governor was cosy with the head of state.

Governor Fernandes Barasa speaks to residents as President William Ruto looks on, during one of the head of state’s numerous rallies during his week-long tour of Western Region.

The collaboration, The governor says, is the only way Kakamega County will get meaningful development. “You saw he said that the government is going to invest heavily on all public sugar companies.”