Governor Barasa dismisses Malala–Muhanda pact, says they can’t defeat him
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 30, 2026Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has come out to throw cold water on the proposed pact between Democracy for Citizens (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala and the County Woman Rep Elsie Muhanda, stating that they pose no threat to him in 2027.
While speaking during a function in his county on Thursday, January 29, 2026, he slammed the former Kakamega Senator, who has been critical of his county government, telling him that just as he defeated him in 2022 during the gubernatorial race, there will be nothing different in 2027.
Barasa, who is seeking his second term, went ahead to mock the pact between Malala and Elsie Muhanda, who has declared interest in unseating him in 2027, saying that even if they join hands with 20 other candidates, it will still be a walkover for him and that he would have them for breakfast when it comes to the 2027 general elections.
“Nataka niambie Cleophas hivi, sitaki drama zake, hata waungane watu ishirini, wembe ni ule ule, nahawa watu nita pitia asubuhi, saa mbili nitakuwa nimemaliza kazi.”
This comes two days after Cleophas Malala stated that he is ready to shelve his gubernatorial ambitions and support Kakamega Woman Rep. Elsie Muhanda, who was recently endorsed by Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya for the 2027 gubernatorial seat after his fallout with Governor Barasa.
Leaders supporting Muhanda
The Woman Rep has been receiving massive support from Kakamega ODM MPs, led by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, who is also at loggerheads with Barasa following last year’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Kakamega County chairmanship polls, where Nabwera protested that he was the rightful winner.
The feud escalated and was evident during the Linda Ground forums in Kakamega, where two separate party rallies were held at two distinct places: one presided over by Barasa and the other by Oparanya, together with other MPs within the county opposed to him, where they used the occasion to trade a war of words against the governor.
Khalwale factor
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale is also seeking to contest for the gubernatorial seat and has as well expressed interest in unseating the governor, even receiving an endorsement from Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi, who accompanied him in one of his roadside campaigns in the county.
Political analysts had foretold that should the Muhanda-Malala pact come to fruition, it will spell a Waterloo for Barasa, who is serving his first term, with Khalwale coming in at a distant third.
Elsie Muhanda has also come out later to laud Malala for his move.