It was all fireworks on Saturday, February 17, at a funeral service in Shinyalu, Kakamega county, where Senator Boni Khalwale and Governor Fernandes Barasa faced off in verbal attacks.
The two leaders do not read from the same script, with both eyeing the Kakamega governorship in the 2027 elections.
It all started when Khalwale during his turn to address mourners ridiculed the governor's style of leadership, faulting him for taking pride in projects meant for the ward representatives.
For instance, Khalwale jibed Barasa for going around the county unveiling murram roads instead of tarmacking them, given that money was allocated for them.
"With Sh 17 billion in Kakamega, it's disappointing that the governor is only launching murram roads. This shows the administration's failure to ensure equal development opportunities across the county, with no progress on projects from the previous governor, Oparanya. I raised concerns about the current governor's unrealistic approach to transformative development for Kakamega residents," said Khalwale.
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While promising the allocation of more funds to the county, Khalwale vowed to keep Barasa in check by promoting transparency and accountability in his administration.
However, in his rebuttal, Barasa accused Khalwale of embarking on early campaigns for the governor's post at the expense of undertaking his oversight role as a senator.
"You have failed as a senator. Last year you were among the senators who opposed more allocation to the counties," said Barasa.
He went on to warn Khalwale against dictating to him how he should run the county and implement his manifesto.
Barasa counselled Khalwale to stick to the roles he was elected into his current post to undertake.
"You will not lecture me on how to run the county. Your work is oversight and the constitution does not prescribe the senator to tell the governor what to do. I have a manifesto that the Kakamega people elected me for and it is what I am implementing. I don't need any lecture, your work is to bring money to us," fired Barasa.
Further, the governor cautioned the senator against running for the governor's seat.
He said he would route him when the time would come.
"In 2013, we elected you senator. You then started eyeing the governor position. You failed while at it. In 2022 you were elected the senator, after a year you are already eyeing the governor's seat, the same will happen to you in 2027," added Barasa.
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