Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has announced a major shake-up of his cabinet by unveiling new appointments aimed at enhancing the delivery of services in his county.
In a Gazette Notice dated March 25, 2025, Governor Barasa said the changes were made in accordance with Article 179 (2)(b) of the Constitution and sections 30 and 31 of the County Governments Act, 2012, and would take effect immediately.
"IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by Article 179 (2) (b) of the Constitution as read with sections 30 (2) (d), (e), and (l) of the County Governments Act, 2012, I, Fernandes Barasa, Governor, Kakamega County, appoint the persons named in the first column of the Schedule to be members of the County Executive Committee of the County Government of Kakamega responsible for the matters respectively specified in the second column of the Schedule with effect from 25th March 2025," the Gazette notice read.
Among those appointed to the County Executive Committee is Godfrey Barasa Owori, who will be in charge of the Department of Trade, Industrialization, and Tourism.
Elsewhere, Benjamin Ogunyo Andama has been entrusted with the critical docket of Finance, Budget, Economic Planning, ICT, e-government, and Communication, while Benard Lumosi Amwayi takes over the Education, Science, and Technology portfolio.
Livingstone Luvatse Imbayi will lead the Health Services department, while Jackline Kakayi Masicha has been appointed to oversee Social Services, Youth, Sports, Gender, Culture, and Library Services.
Another shake-up saw Angela Silima Muchai placed in charge of Lands, Housing, Urban Areas, and Physical Planning.
In addition to the new appointments, Governor Barasa also announced the reassignment of roles among serving members of the executive, with the changes taking effect from March 7, 2025.
There were hints of controversy from the governor's latest appointments, particularly because he rehired three individuals who had previously been fired from the Cabinet over alleged incompetence.
In December 2024, Barasa sacked five County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and 10 Chief Officers in a move which he said was meant to boost efficiency. He made the announcement at the County Headquarters Office.
At the time, Health Minister Dr. Bernard Wesonga, CEC for Lands Mariam Barasa, Public Service and Administration Benjamin Andama, and CECM for Finance and Economic Planning CPA Livingstone Imbayi lost their positions over the alleged inability to deliver their mandate.
“Our people have high expectations of my administration in terms of service delivery, and that is why I have made these changes. I am convinced that this team is going to live up to the expectations of our people and help me deliver what I promised my people, and I will not tolerate incompetence and laziness,” Barasa said in December.
Four months on, Andama and Imbayi have been re-appointed, albeit in different dockets.
