“I am not afraid of you”, Elsie Muhanda dares Barasa

The battle for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat has taken centre stage after the county Woman MP and the sitting governor became embroiled in a bitter political war.

The county Woman MP, Elsie Muhanda, who has shown keen interest in dethroning the sitting governor Fernandes Barasa, has openly challenged him to face her at the ballot next year.

“I am not afraid of you, and even if you try to intimidate me through the use of gangs and political sabotage, I will not back down, as it is the people of Kakamega who are pushing and have fully thrown their weight behind my leadership as their most preferred governor come 2027,” she said.

Muhanda has openly told Governor Barasa that she is not a pushover and urged him to prepare for a political battle that could see him serve only one term.

“Barasa, let me tell you, if you are man enough and sure of your development record, why are you always carrying hired goons to your functions to jeer and harass your political opponents? It is very clear that the ground has shifted and you have fallen out of favour with the electorate, and it is time for the Kakamega voters to make a new decision, and that decision is me,” she said.

She stated that the current county leadership has failed, with many projects still incomplete, contrary to his manifesto and campaign promises.

“Let Barasa know that despite me being a woman, he will not bully me out of the gubernatorial race. Lest he forget, I have been in the county since 2013 and I know every corner very well, unlike him, who has failed to resonate with many leaders and the electorate,” she added.

The outspoken Woman Representative, who has earned the nickname ‘Senje wa vana’ (aunt to the kids) for her initiative that has seen hundreds of young mothers return to school, criticised what she described as the governor’s “mafia-like” style of operation. She accused him of redirecting county funds meant for development to hire goons to intimidate critics and opponents.

“While your fellow governors, like the one from Kiambu, have constructed at least 500 ECDE classrooms for learners, you have hardly put up 10. Most health facilities have no drugs to treat patients, as you are too focused on your political opponents. You are forced to hire crowds and goons to cheer you at county functions to portray progress, but your day of reckoning is nearing. I am coming for you, and I will clinch that seat through the ballot,” she said.

She accused Barasa of doing very little in terms of the county’s development blueprint, claiming he was focused on politicking and bribing voters to secure a second term instead of serving the people of Kakamega.

“For your information, I am the people’s choice for the seat, as I have the capacity and zeal to serve the residents of Kakamega,” she said.

Muhanda added that the incumbent has failed to initiate crucial development across the county and should not be re-elected.

Calls for Barasa’s ouster come after a group of Members of the County Assembly from Kakamega, allied to the G8 political movement, launched sharp criticism against the governor, accusing him of failing to deliver on his mandate.

The MCAs, while attending a church service at Musoli Catholic Church, claimed the county boss had not initiated meaningful development projects and had fallen short of fulfilling promises made to residents.

The MCAs, who also included Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali, announced their support for Muhanda’s bid to unseat Governor Barasa in the 2027 general election, terming her leadership skills as superb and up to the task. The legislators expressed confidence that her leadership would accelerate development and improve service delivery across the county.

They further urged residents to rally behind President William Ruto for a second term, arguing that continued cooperation between the national and county governments would unlock more resources and opportunities for Kakamega residents.

The leaders emphasised that unity and a fresh leadership direction were essential to addressing the county’s challenges and ensuring progress for its people.