KAKAMEGA – Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa on Thursday received Interior Cabinet Secretary Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen in a high-level consultative meeting ahead of the ongoing Jukwa la Usalama forum, a government-led initiative seeking to tackle security and coexistence challenges across Kenya’s devolved units.
The forum, spearheaded by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration in the Office of the President, is designed to address persistent issues affecting service delivery, social cohesion, and economic interactions. Among the key focus areas are land disputes, security gaps, market operations, and management of productive resources that citizens rely on for livelihoods.
Speaking during the meeting, leaders underscored the importance of proper legal documentation to enhance identification processes and curb criminal activities that undermine peace and stability in communities.
Baraza’s Role and Development Track Record
Governor Barasa, a first-time county chief who took over from former governor and current CS for Cooperatives, Small, and Micro Enterprises Wycliffe Oparanya in 2022, has emerged as a unifying figure in Kakamega politics. Elected under the ODM ticket, Barasa is credited with bridging divisions among leaders, accelerating development, and positioning Kakamega as a key player in regional politics.
A certified public accountant by profession, Barasa has rolled out signature projects under his “Maji Safi, Maisha Bora” initiative, which has expanded clean water access through the Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KACWASCO). His administration is also overseeing the construction of Shianda Level Four Hospital, designed to expand universal healthcare access in Mumias East.
In education, Barasa has launched a county scholarship fund targeting low-income families, supplementing national bursary allocations, and enabling bright but needy students—particularly in Matungu and surrounding constituencies—to access secondary education. Infrastructure development has also featured prominently, with investments in road maintenance and construction of ECDE centres.
Political Standing
Known for his grassroots mobilization skills and consensus-driven leadership, Barasa has gained influence both within ODM and nationally. Recently elected as de facto ODM Kakamega branch chairman—despite rival claims by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera—he has maintained stability in the party’s county operations. Under his stewardship, ODM secured 9 of Kakamega’s 12 constituencies in the 2022 general election, cementing its dominance in the region.
Though occasionally targeted in political smear campaigns, Barasa has navigated controversies with resilience, avoiding pitfalls that have tripped other county chiefs. His clean governance record and ability to maintain cordial relations with both President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga have strengthened his political base.
With Kakamega boasting over half a million registered voters, analysts suggest Barasa is well-positioned for re-election, describing him as a “soft-spoken political chess master” with unmatched strategic instincts.
The Significance of Jukwa la Usalama
For Governor Barasa, the Jukwa la Usalama forum dovetails with his development agenda, offering solutions to challenges that have slowed service delivery and strained social interactions in the county. By aligning with the national government’s security priorities, he seeks to ensure a safer, more cohesive environment for economic growth.
CS Murkomen’s visit underscored the importance of partnership between county and national governments in tackling systemic issues. As the forum progresses, residents and stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see how its recommendations translate into tangible improvements in governance, peace, and prosperity in Kakamega and beyond.
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