By Lynnet Juma, Kakamega
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has said the Western region will be well-positioned to produce a formidable presidential candidate in 2032, while urging the Luhya community to support President William Ruto’s re-election bid in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations at Bomani Grounds in Mumias West Sub-county, Barasa said the region should focus its political ambitions on securing the presidency rather than the deputy president’s position.
“Our focus should be on the presidency come 2032 and not the deputy president’s seat. The region has produced three vice presidents before and what is remaining is the presidency,” said Barasa.
The governor cautioned residents against efforts to unseat President Ruto in 2027, arguing that supporting his re-election would allow him to complete development projects already initiated in the region.
“The presidency is just a stone’s throw away from us. Let us not be fooled by fake slogans from the opposition but look at the bigger picture. We are better placed to take over the presidency from Ruto in 2032 and not 2027,” he said.
Barasa also accused Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna of sowing division in the Western region through the Linda Mwananchi movement. He alleged that the initiative was being funded by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to destabilise ODM.
On development, the governor said his administration continues to make progress under its six-pillar development agenda despite inheriting significant challenges when it took office in 2022.
According to Barasa, the county inherited numerous stalled projects, weak infrastructure and pending bills exceeding KSh10 billion, prompting the development of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027.
“The CIDP was designed as a practical response to the realities we found on the ground. It guides the implementation of programmes and projects across all sectors to ensure sustainable, inclusive and people-centred development. Through this plan, we are steadily addressing historical gaps while laying the foundation for long-term growth and improved service delivery,” he said.
The governor highlighted major investments in healthcare, water and economic development, saying the projects are already improving livelihoods across the county.
“In the health sector, we are constructing the Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital in partnership with the National Government, a flagship project expected to create more than 3,000 direct jobs,” he said.
Barasa added that the county had expanded Butere County Hospital, upgraded Shamakhubu Hospital, established new maternity wings and inpatient wards, constructed additional health centres and recruited 360 healthcare workers.
“Through the Barasa Care programme, healthcare access points have increased from 34 to 61 facilities, while 4,250 Community Health Promoters have been equipped to strengthen primary healthcare services,” he said.
Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula defended the government’s collaboration in establishing Ebola isolation centres, dismissing criticism of the initiative and urging residents not to politicise the project.
Savula said the cooperation agreement underpinning the project was signed and approved in 2015, noting that the current administration was merely implementing an existing arrangement.
“The project should not be politicised because it is part of a cooperation agreement that was signed and approved a long time ago. What is happening now is simply the implementation of that agreement,” said Savula.
He added that the county government, through the Department of Health, had put in place measures to prevent Ebola from spreading into the county. He assured residents that surveillance, monitoring and preparedness efforts had been strengthened and urged them to remain calm while adhering to public health guidelines.
The deputy governor also called on residents to reject divisive politics and support leaders focused on development and improving the welfare of citizens.
