Ayub Savula reneges on Kakamega co-governor remarks following backlash

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has reneged on his earlier claim that he shares equal powers with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa following.

This follows a backlash by members of the public who criticised Savula’s utterances on account of them being in an unpleasant taste.

While admitting to making the utterances, Savula on Tuesday claimed they were somehow hyperbolised.

He said he was misquoted and the viral video was from the past during the campaign period.

“The video that is currently trending on social media was from the past when I was telling my people that we have half the loaf you know if you have been a legislator for two years you have to explain to your people where you are headed and what you are going to do there. That is an old clip and I was in Malaba and I was telling the people of Malava to support my government with Governor Barasa because we are all going to benefit,” Savula said.

Savula also took to his social media to clarify the circumstances surrounding that video clip.

"I was misquoted. I did not say that I am a co-governor. The clip doing rounds on social media is not current but was recorded during the campaigns," Savula said.

Savula acknowledged that Barasa was the Kakamega Governor and promised to execute his duties as the deputy governor as required by the Kenyan Constitution, as he affirmed his loyalty to Governor Barasa.

"The Constitution is clear. Fernandes Barasa is the governor of Kakamega, and I, Savula, is his loyal deputy," he said.

He further emphasised on the video clip being old and noted that the Kenyan Constitution does not provide for the position of a co-governor.

“That clip trending on social media is an OLD CLIP. I am the deputy governor. There is nothing in our Constitution like Co governor,” he said.

Savula recently came out guns blazing, claiming he was not a deputy governor but a co-governor because they had equal stakes in the Kakamega government with his boss Barasa.

He further alleged Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers coerced him into supporting the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition and the coalition’s leader Raila Odinga in the recent election.

Savula also claimed he was arrested together with his two wives on fake charges as intimidation to support Raila’s presidential bid.