FERNANDES BARASA

Fernandes Barasa is the Governor of Kakamega County, Kenya, having been elected in 2022 on an Orange Democratic Movement – ODM party ticket. 

Barasa is the second elected governor of Kakamega, after Wycliffe Oparanya. He defeated his main competitor, Cleophas Malala, and was announced as the second governor.

Before becoming governor, he was the Managing Director and CEO of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).

He was born on March 4, 1968, in Khabondi village, Mumias East Constituency.

Fernandes Barasa began his secondary education at Naitiri High School, where he completed before joining Kenyatta University in 1993 to study Commerce with a specialisation in accounting.

He completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1997, during which time he was elected Chairman of the Commerce Accounting Students Association.

He then advanced his academic credentials at Kenyatta University, earning a Master of Business Administration, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Accounting and Finance at the University of Nairobi.

He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, a prestigious professional accountancy designation.

Upon graduation in 1997, Barasa began his professional career as an assistant accountant at Kenya Airways.

He later transitioned to the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), where he served as Treasury Manager and Head of Factories Accounts.

In 2010, he joined the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) as Chief Financial Officer and was elevated to Managing Director and CEO.

He also served as Chairman of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya from 2015 to 2017.

During his tenure at KETRACO, he was honoured with the Order of Grand Warrior (OGW) award in recognition of distinguished service to the nation.

Before entering elective politics, he was active in community development efforts in Kakamega County.

In August 2022, Barasa stepped into the political arena and won the Kakamega gubernatorial seat under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), taking over from his predecessor, Wycliffe Oparanya.

Details about his net worth are not publicly available.

However, Fernandes Barasa earns a gross salary of KSh 990,000 as a county governor.

This includes:

Fernandes Barasa is also entitled to benefits and allowances such as: