Fernandes Barasa Floors Malala to Win Kakamega Gubernatorial Seat

By Kevin Koech

Posted on 30 August 2022

Kakamega Governor-elect Fernandes Barasa and his wife PHOTO/COURTESY

Orange Democratic Movement Party’s Fernandes Barasa is the new Kakamega County governor-elect.

The outspoken politician was declared winner of the hotly contested election after garnering 192,929 of total votes cast.

Barasa’s closest rival, Cleophas Malala of the Amani National Congress (ANC) party came second with 159,908 votes.

Other aspirants in the race included Maendeleo Development Party leader Sam Omukoko who polled, Cyrus Jirongo (UDP), Suleman Sumba (KANU), Austine Opitso and Michael Osundwa.

Kakamega senator-elect, Boni Khalwale, is among leaders from the opposing party who congratulated Barasa on his win.

In a social media post, Khalwale congratulated Barasa and recognised Malala for putting up a spirited fight in the race.

“Congratulations Fernandes Barasa for your win and Cleophas Malala for your spirited fight,” Khalwale wrote.

Tetelestai.
Congratulations @BarasaFernandes for ua win & @Cleophasmalala for ua spirited fight back pic.twitter.com/14D2IMCu0i

— Dr Boni Khalwale, CBS (@KBonimtetezi) August 30, 2022

Elsewhere in Mombasa, former Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir was declared winner of the Mombasa gubernatorial race.

Nassir was declared governor-elect after garnering 119,083 votes against the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Hassan Omar Hassan who managed 98,180 votes.

Similarly, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko from the opposing Kenya Kwanza coalition was the first one to congratulated Nassir.

Taking to Twitter, Sonko who was rooting for Omar in the race Nassir for the win, further thanking Omar’s supporters.

“When you are in any competition, your competitor is not your enemy but your opponent, I wish I was in the ballot but no matter how long it takes inshallah God’s time is the best, yote tisa asiyekubali kushindwa sio mshindani

“Congratulations Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir for your win as the second Governor of Mombasa we live to fight another day. l’d also like to thank all our supporters for believing in us and voted for our candidate Hassan Omar Sarai,” Sonko said.

The former Nairobi county boss also promised to work with Mombasa residents despite their preferred candidate or political affiliation.