Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has urged the ODM central management committee to cease its interference in the operations of the county assembly. Barasa emphasized that the committee should not dictate how the county should manage its affairs.
As the central management committee, which is chaired by the party leader, holds the highest decision-making authority, Barasa stated, “The county assembly of Kakamega and I, as the branch chairman, respect the party, but please refrain from micro-managing the county government.”
He added, “We hold executive authority granted by the people who elected us, and no county should be directed by the party on how to run its programs.”
Barasa reiterated that while the Kakamega county government respects the party leadership, it should stay out of the assembly’s internal matters. His comments came on Saturday during Charles Madegwa’s burial in Isukha.
The governor affirmed that the assembly’s leadership operates in accordance with the law. This statement follows the ODM leadership summoning Barasa, county assembly Speaker James Namatsi, and former majority leader Philip Maina over ongoing leadership disputes.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna mentioned that the three individuals have been obstructing the party’s decision to replace Maina with Geoffrey Ondiro. This action was prompted by a petition from ODM MCAs concerning the reorganization of assembly committees by Maina, which they claimed was improperly handled and biased against those perceived to be less supportive of the governor.
Sifuna criticized the governor, speaker, and former leader of the majority Maina for thwarting the party’s directive to appoint Geoffrey Ondiro as the majority leader. He indicated that the committee plans to summon them for a hearing at a later date.
The party demanded that the speaker enforce its directives, declaring any changes to the committees null and void. However, Barasa responded by stating he recognizes Maina as the majority leader, as he was elected by the MCAs.
Barasa appealed to the ODM leadership to refrain from intervening in Kakamega’s politics, asserting that all decisions in the county assembly adhere to the standing orders. He also questioned why the speaker, who is not affiliated with ODM, was being summoned.
An insider within the party suggested that while the handling of Maina’s replacement might have been mishandled, his actions could potentially lead to his removal. The party may consider expelling Maina and mobilizing its members, who hold the majority in the house, to impeach the speaker to ensure stability within the Kakamega county assembly.
