Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has vowed that he will ensure Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera serves one term in Parliament.

While speaking during a forum in Lugari on Friday, May 1, 2026, 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.

He further vowed that by 2027, he would ensure that Nabii Nabwera becomes a one-term MP.

“Mimi nitahakikisha Mheshimiwa Nabwera ni wantam. Enda uulize mbunge wa shinyalu wa zamani ambaye pia alipenda kupinga governor kile lilimfanyikia,” Barasa said.

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.

This has seen him throw his weight behind Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda, who is eyeing the Kakamega gubernatorial seat in 2027 to challenge Governor Barasa.

Their rivalry further deepened during the Linda Ground Kakamega chapter events, where both leaders held separate functions.

Nabwera held his event alongside Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Oparanya, who is also at odds with Governor Barasa in Butere. On the other hand, Governor Barasa held a separate Linda Ground forum at Kakamega Golf Club, which was attended by ODM party leader Oburu Odinga.

On the other side, Oparanya and Barasa are also not on the same political page despite Oparanya having supported Barasa’s rise to the county leadership in 2022. Oparanya has since shifted his support to Elsie Muhanda and endorsed her to succeed Barasa in the upcoming elections.