Fernandes Barasa was on Thursday, September 15 sworn in as the second Governor of Kakamega County.
Barasa took the oath of office and afterwards signed the certificates in a ceremony held at Bukhungu stadium.
Moreover, Barasa’s deputy, Ayub Savula, also took the oath of office after his boss.
Likewise, outgoing Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya was present during the swearing-in ceremony to hand over power to his successor Fernandes Barasa.
Barasa won the gubernatorial race in August 29 mini-elections under an ODM Party ticket garnering 192,929 votes, against his political rival Cleophas Malala of ANC who got 159,508.
Nevertheless, other contenders who lost in the Kakamega gubernatorial race are UDP’s Cyrus Jirongo with 5,974 votes, Michael Osundwa (Independent) with 1,146 votes, KANU’s Suleiman Sumba with 1,078 votes, MDP’s Samuel Omukoko with 761 votes, and Austin Opitso who got 150 votes.
Moreover, Deputy Governor Savula caused a stir earlier this week when he said he shares power equally with his boss.
Also Read: Savula: I’m Co-Governor Not Deputy Governor
Furthermore, Savula noted that Kakamega county government is divided into two parts: he will lead one half, while Barasa will lead the other.
He further noted that he should not be referred to as a deputy governor but as a co-governor.
“Don’t let anyone lie to you that Savula returned to deputyship, we have divided the county government and the government of Kakamega into two. Fernandes Barasa has taken half and Savula has taken half,” he said in a tweet on Monday, September 12.
“Constitutionally, Kakamega has ten ministries. Barasa amechukua ministries tano na mimi nimechukua tano. I am not a deputy governor, I am a co-governor,” he added.
Nevertheless, Savula then retract his statement, saying he was misquoted in an old video, and that the constitution has no provision for co-governor.
