ODM's Fernandes Barasa wins Kakamega governor race

Former KETRACO boss Fernandes Barasa casts vote at St. Angela Bulimbo primary school in Matungu polling station on August 29, 2022. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Fernandes Barasa of ODM party has won the Kakamega governorship seat.

Barasa won after garnering 192,929 votes against his closest competitor Cleophas Malala (ANC) who got 159,508 votes.

Others who were eyeing the seat include; Cyrus Jirongo (UDP) 5,974, Suleiman Sumba (KANU) 1,078, Samuel Omukoko (Maendeleo Democratic Party) 761, Austin Opitso 150 and Mike Osundwa 1,146.

Announcing the results at Kakamega High School on Tuesday, August 30, the County Returning Officer Joseph Ayata said the elections were largely free and fair and that no major violent acts were recorded.

"We had a low turn out than anticipated as about 361,546 cast their ballot. No candidate was found doing any irregularity and that is so promising," he said.

Barasa has since expressed gratitude to Kakamega residents for voting for him and vowed to serve them dutifully. He has also commended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for conducting a free and fair election.

On his part, Malala has conceded defeat and congratulated Barasa for the win.

"We lost with about 29,000 votes. It's painful and if this kind of pain is what Raila Odinga [Azimio la Umoja paty leader] has been going through all the times he's lost elections, then he's a strong man. It's painful to lose but I accept it," he said.

"We did all we needed to do, we campaigned well but the Lord's will was done. I congratulate Barasa and his deputy Ayub Savula"

Malala also echoed sentiments by Barasa that IEBC conducted a free and fair election.

"I have conceded defeat because our constitution says elections will be held every 5 years and there has to be a winner and a looser.

"As team Cleophas Malala, we have done the tallying and we established that we lost the election," Malala said.