Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Fernandes Odinga Barasa has won the Kakamega governor race.
Barasa garnered 192,929 votes defeating Cleophas Malala of the Amani National Congress who received 159,508 votes.
Malala conceded defeat and praised Barasa’s triumph as deserving and unquestionable.
“I congratulate the governor elect, FCPA. Fernandes Barasa and his team for their win. It is deserved and undisputable. I am ready to offer any part of my manifesto that they may find suitable in their new government for the progress of Kakamega,” Malala state.
He further thanked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for holding free, fair, credible, and verifiable elections when she spoke to the media shortly after Barasa received the certificate.
Barasa competed against five other candidates, including Sam Omukoko, the leader of the Maendeleo Development Party, Cyrus Jirongo (UDP), Suleman Sumba (KANU), Austine Opitso, and Michael Osundwa.
In February 2022, Barasa decided to enter politics and left his high-flying position as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO).
Former business executive turned politician has worked for East Africa Reinsurance, Kenya Airways, and Kenya Tea Development Agency Limited (KTDA).
With this, he makes his foray into the world of politics and succeeds Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, the departing governor who has served as the county’s leader for the past ten years.