Drama ensued at a funeral service in Kakamega County after two political factions clashed over the allocation of funds to healthcare facilities on Saturday, January 11.
The incident happened in the Shilongo area of Malava Constituency in Kakamega County during the burial of a former member of the county assembly (MCA).
The family of the MCA was forced to bar politicians from using the podium to air their political differences at the burial ceremony.
After the burial, a section of leaders led by Senator Bonnie Khalwale accused the Kakamega governor of neglecting the county’s health care systems.
Former United Democratic Alliance Party Secretary General Cleophas Malala addressing the press on their preparedness to hold grassroot elections during a past event.
“It’s not politics if I say the county government to allocate money for medicines because the county has refused to finance health activities in our hospitals,” Senator Khalwale lashed out.
According to the Senator, residents of Kakamega have not been receiving adequate health services due to the failure of the county government to allocate funds.
On his part, former Senator of Kakamega Cleophas Malala also addressed the issue and asked leaders to unite and avoid divisive politics.
In his remarks, Malala subtly defended Governor Fernandes Barasa asking Senator Khalwale to help resolve the issue of disbursements of funds from the national level instead of just critiquing the county.
“Senator Khalwale, you are the one tasked with oversight the transfer of funds from the national government. I want you to explain why county funds have been delayed,” Malala stated.
“All these three leaders, if you all fight it is these people who suffer,” he added.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, however, steered clear of the drama and called on the leaders to work together to better the lives of the people who elected them.
“We finished politics in 2022, now it’s time for development. We will continue making developments to help our people,” he said.
The drama comes as leaders in Kakamega County continue to point fingers at each other. Specifically, Governor Barasa and Senator Khalwale do not see eye to eye politically.
Governor Fernandes has in the past accused Khalwale of engaging in a smear campaign to discredit his administration.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa holds a County Budget Review and Outlook Paper (CBROP 2023) meeting on October 4, 2023.
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County Government of Kakamega