Barasa-Inyangala Kakamega ticket? Writing on the wall

The Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala is in talks with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial elections.

Dr Inyangala is likely to be Barasa’s running mate with chances of incumbent Deputy Governor Ayub Savula to be dropped seemingly high.

Inyangala, who was the running mate to former senator of Kakamega Cleophas Malala in 2022, seems to have found a new home and hope in Barasa.

The pair came second in a tight contest, with Barasa being declared winner after garnering a total 192,929 votes against Malala’s 159,508 votes.

It is not clear what has informed her decision, but observers say the decision by her candidate to align with the opposition after his ouster from the rulling party United Democratic alliance where he was the secretary and minister without portfolio may be the reason.

Malala is now the pointman for the impeached former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua in the county, and recently, he hosted him at his Mumias home.

Barasa has a soft spot for the president, Dr. William Ruto and his adminstrators and Inyangala may be comfortable associating with him against Malala, who has launched an onslaught against the government he once served in and campaigned for.

It has been revealed that as part of the deal,Inyangala has proposed names to Barasa to be included in the soon to be announced county cabinet after some individuals were relieved off their posts after lapse of their two year contract.

Inyangala, according to a source at the county, wants one Harrison Tanga given a slot.

Her presence, according to Barasa handlers, will tilt the areas rich vote bloc towards him.

Malava has the highest number of registered voters in the 12 subcounties, which stood at around 94,000 votes in the year 2022.