Kakamega leaders under fire on campaign pledges
By dennis-lumiti, April 27, 2023Elected leaders in Kakamega are walking a tight rope as they face increasing demands from residents to deliver on their pre-election pledges.
Delays in the release of funds to counties and National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) have complicated matters for Governor Fernandes Barasa and the 72 elected Members of the National and county assemblies.
The political leaders are finding it rough to explain the situation to their electorate, forcing a number to go underground.
A survey by People Daily across the county established that there was a development lull in many of the constituencies and wards amid hue and cry from the locals. “Many of the leaders who were elected in the August 9 and 29 elections are going through a turbulent moment because what their promises seem not forthcoming. Pressure from their electorate continues to pile and this has made some to avoid the public for now,” said Fred Wesonga, a political commentator.
A section of leaders admitted yesterday that they were actually under immense pressure from the residents and that they fear it could be costly to their campaigns in 2027.
“It is true that things are bad for me because I have no resources to initiate what I promised. I have, for instance, launched construction of several roads to mitigate against the heavy rains but I am not even sure if we shall complete them because we do not have resources to pay the contractors,” Governor Fernandes Barasa (pictured) said.
He said they were trying to talk to the contractors and suppliers to continue offering their services as they waited for funds from the National government but that their efforts were frustrated by huge pending bills.
“You know we inherited pending bills which we must pay. So many of those who offered the services and are being owed by the county government can not accept to spend more before they are paid,” Barasa told People Daily. Malava MP Malulu Injendi, who is doing his third term, said he was only hanging on his past development record to remain politically relevant.
Senator Boni Khalwale is also under siege after residents ganged up against him following reports that he rallied several lawmakers to vote against increase of funding to counties.