Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has urged county governors to work with the national government for the sake of development, despite criticism from predecessor Wycliffe Oparanya.
In response to Oparanya’s call for Azimio coalition governors to shun President William Ruto’s administration, Barasa fired back by pointing out that Oparanya worked closely with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Barasa emphasized that Oparanya’s success in developing Kakamega County was due to his close collaboration with the national government, and suggested that other elected leaders should also work with the government to obtain enough resources for development in their counties.
He specifically highlighted the Kakamega County Level Six flagship project initiated by Oparanya, which he said could only be completed with collaboration from the national government.
At least five governors have skipped Raila’s anti-government rallies in eight counties since January, with Barasa attending Raila’s Azimio public barasa in Kakamega.
He joins a growing list of governors allied to Azimio who have expressed willingness to work with Ruto’s administration.
However, Raila has called for mass action against Ruto’s administration beginning next week, signaling potential friction between opposing political factions.
The issue of inter-governmental relationships has been a long-standing topic in Kenyan politics, with questions over whether governors should prioritize working with the national government or pursue development independently.
While Oparanya has criticized governors who rely on the national government for development, Barasa’s remarks suggest that working collaboratively with the government may be necessary for achieving meaningful progress.
The ongoing tensions between different political coalitions in Kenya indicate the importance of effective governance and cooperation at all levels of government.
As development needs continue to evolve and intensify, the success of regional and national initiatives will rely on the ability of elected leaders to work together towards a shared vision for the country’s future.
