Nabii Nabwera: I will vote for Esie Muhanda for Kakamega gubernatorial seat
By Mabonga Makhanu, May 17, 2026The Lugari Member of Parliament has openly backed Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda for the gubernatorial post ahead of the 2027 polls.
The outspoken MP made the declaration while speaking in the Lugari Constituency on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Nabwera’s pronouncement comes despite the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Oburu Odinga, recently trying to hold a meeting to broker a truce between the two.
The MP has been at loggerheads with Governor Fernandes Barasa for almost a year now.
Nabwera has vowed that in 2027, he will vote for Elsie Muhanda, who was last year endorsed by the Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya. He further stated that his reason for backing Muhanda is his confidence that whatever Governor Barasa has failed to implement, Muhanda will be able to deliver.
“Kura yangu ya ugavana nitapigia Elsie Muhanda, and I have no regret about it, kwa sababu ile inashinda mwannamume mmama ndio huwa anamalizia,” Nabwera said.
On the other hand, Governor Fernandes Barasa, who had also issued remarks ahead of the truce meeting, warned that he would use all efforts to ensure that Nabwera is not re-elected.
The governor predicted a difficult political future for the first-term MP, urging him to draw lessons from former Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito, who was also known for frequently attacking the then Kakamega governor, Wycliffe Oparanya.
He accused Nabii Nabwera of spreading propaganda and blackmail within the public service, warning that such behaviour should not be extended to the Kakamega County government.
Nabwera-Barasa feud
The feud between Nabwera and Barasa has been escalating over time. Their conflict became evident during last year’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Kakamega County elections, where they both contested for the county chairmanship position. Barasa won the election, while Nabwera protested the results, claiming that the process was rigged.
Since then, the two have not been on good terms. Despite Barasa being regarded as the ODM Kakamega chairman, Nabwera has continued to claim that he is the officeholder of that position.
Oburu led a peace meeting
After the meeting, they were seen shaking hands, with Barasa later stating that his feud with Oparanya had come to an end and that they would work together in bringing pride to Kakamega County. However, the former KETRACO CEO did not comment on whether, during the meeting, he also shed the animosity between him and Nabwera.