Lugari Member of Parliament Nabii Nabwera has refuted media reports alleging he has reconciled with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa vowing not to support his re-election in 2027.
Addressing the press at the Parliamentary office in Lumakanda town, Nabwera termed as political theatrics the purported Wednesday handshake, at a funeral in Lwandeti alleging it was scripted by the governor’s cronies.
He stated that during the funeral service of Elam Muchai Mukhuyu also attended by Governor Barasa, a number of events arose including a supposed ‘handshake’ which has heightened speculation in the media.
He said: “It is critically important to set the record straight. During the funeral service a number of speakers including Members of County Assembly Niver Luyayi, Dan Mukhwami and others presented a position which looked rehearsed by appealing for cooperation between the two of us for the mutual benefit of the people of Lugari.
“When I rose to speak, I clarified that raising critical issues on behalf of my constituents does not amount to hostility towards the governor, because oversight and accountability remain cardinal to my duty as an elected leader.”
Nabwera who stated that his Tachoni customs do not allow handshakes in funerals, recounted how in the recent months the governor through his surrogates led by his deputy Ayub Savula, have been abusing, disparaging and disrespecting him to the level of calling him a murderer and a mosquito. He said that posts by bloggers and supporters of Barasa insinuating that they had buried their differences for the sake of political support are baseless and misleading.
Nabwera explained: “When the Governor rose to address mourners he asked for a handshake gesture, which to me was political theatrics. I strictly rose to respond to the theatrics knowing very well that as a politician I had a choice to refuse, although it would have portrayed me as an arrogant and a disrespectful person. I therefore respectively responded and joined the governor purely as a sign of goodwill towards collaborative development. The gesture is not and must not be misinterpreted as political alignment or my support for him in 2027,” he reiterated.
He stated there was no way they could do a handshake superficially yet they have not sat down and talked about the issues that caused the rift. “How can we do a handshake yet we have not talked about the abuse and attacks against me, and the discrimination of county staff associated with me?” he posed.
The lawmaker stated categorically that his contract as an electorate and a person who supported the Governor in the 2022 gubernatorial election ends in 2027 when he will be voting for his preferred candidate the current Kakamega County woman representative Elsie Muhanda.
During the burial of 84-year-old Elam Muchai Mukhuyu in Lwandeti Ward, Governor Barasa stated that he had agreed to work together with all elected leaders for the sake of prosperity of Kakamega County. He appreciated Nabwera asking for his cooperation “because they have so much to deliver to the people of Kakamega.”
By Melechezedeck Ejakait
