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Tuesday, October 3, 2023 –Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has found himself in hot soup for allegedly creating office of the Spouse of the Governor in Kakamega County.
Barasa, who was summoned to appear before Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, is accused of creating the questionable office at tax payers’ expense.
He was required to show up before the Oburu Odinga-led committee on Monday October 2 to shed more light on the legalities surrounding the new office.
The Committee tasked the first-time governor to detail how the office that is not in the Constitution was being funded.
“Moreover, the inquiry called for an audit by the Auditor-General into the authority and processes used by the County Assembly of Kakamega to establish such an office.
“It also demanded an investigation into potential violations of the Constitution and other laws by county governments by unnecessarily bulking up their payroll and creating redundant offices,” a report from the committee read, partly.
The ODM Party governor, however, kept off the meeting but, instead, chose to reply to the accusations through a letter.
In the letter addressed to the Committee, Governor Barasa asked for the matter to be halted for some time until the case currently in court is determined.
He argued that, legally, it would be detrimental for him to comment on the matter which is actively pending in court.
In their response to the governor, the Obutu-led committee agreed with the status and allowed the matter to be first settled by the courts.
“Indeed, the matter is a subject of active litigation and therefore it is perfectly in order that we let the court deal with the matter without interference in the spirit of the separation of powers,” Senator Odinga ruled.
In 2014, former Attorney General Githu Muigai advised that the governor’s spouses should neither be allocated county offices nor get monetary benefits.
Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations members include Mohamed Chute (Marsabit), George Mbugua, Richard Onyonka (Kisii), Catherine Mumma (Nominated), David Wakoli (Bungoma), and Peris Tobiko(Nominated).
Odinga’s committee issued the summons to the governor after Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale petitioned the Senate over the matter.
