Give us Cabinet seat, Kakamega North residents tell Barasa
The Northern part of Kakamega County residents are now demanding that the slated reshuffle in the Kakamega County government be done in a balanced way to serve each sub-county equally.
The sentiments, which were uttered by a section of the Northern people of Kakamega to the media, stated that the governor should award Malava sub-county a ministerial position, considering that it is the largest sub-county and has been neglected in development matters.
The statement, read by Jasusi Musa and Musa Neto, residents of Malava, demanded that the current positions offered to the Malava people—being two chief officers held by Leah Khasandi (Social Services), Msafiri Kulova (Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change), Joseph Bushuru (Procurement), and Saidi Khasavuli (Advisor to the Governor)—were not enough for them.
“Despite us giving you 10,000 votes against the 30,000 we gave Cleophas Malala, it should not be a reason to sideline us when sharing the county cake. It is only through you awarding us handsomely that you will entice us to back you in 2027.”
Neto observed that the Northern part has been unable to produce a governor, senator, or even a women’s representative since 2013, despite the county being divided into South, Central, and Northern parts respectively.
“We cannot sit and see the Northern part being sidelined, and yet we hugely contribute revenue to the county government, and still, the same is not reflected in development programmes here.”
They called on the Northern leaders, including Malava MP Malulu Injendi, Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Nabii Nabwera (Lugari), and Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani), to unite, and Fred Ikana (Shinyalu), to hold a conversation and chart a way forward for us Northerners, for we have suffered long enough. Let these leaders unite us and present one candidate to contest for the gubernatorial position in 2027. Failure by these leaders to present a candidate, we will hold a summit and pick any willing candidate to present his candidature for the position.
He said Malava has stalled projects, including the dairy plant that the governor keeps dodging its completion, and Malava has very little development from the county government being initiated. It is time that the governor returns the favour, or we will fall out with his leadership style.
