Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) allied leader and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has refuted claims of defecting to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
While speaking on Saturday, September 2 during the launch of Kakamega County Governors Cup Governor Barasa slammed people claiming he has defected to UDA saying he is only working with the President William Ruto-led administration for development purposes.
“I have not defected to UDA part. My focus remains on collaborating with the president on development matters,” Barasa said.
“As the governor, my priority is to serve the people of Kakamega in collaboration with the National Government,” he noted.
Moreover, the governor stated that he does not have to apologize for working with the president because the constitution allows him to do so.
“The constitution acknowledges collaboration between the national government and county governments,” the county boss explained.
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According to the Kakamega Governor, county governments can only have meaningful developments if they work with the sitting president.
Furthermore, the Kakamega Governor applauded the head of state for his efforts to revive the sugar sector, saying it will go a long way in addressing the plight of cane farmers.
He gave an example of President Ruto’s order on the way forwards for Mumias Sugar company to bring back its glory, adding that works have commenced to see to that.
“You have seen that after only two days of issuing an order what is happening in Mumias and we want to support the president in all he is doing,” he stated.
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Nonetheless, Fernandes Barasa has been captured severally interacting with President William Ruto despite being a member of the opposition ODM party.
Even so, he welcomed the Head of State to his home during President Ruto’s tour of the western region, a move which stirred speculations on his intentions to shift to UDA.
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Likewise, the United Democratic Alliance has been wooing ODM party members to its side in a move to secure numbers for the 2027 elections.
However, the opposition has protested the raid, labeling it an insult to democracy adding that it was weakening other political parties.
Several ODM legislators have since decamped to the ruling UDA party.
