This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
On November 4, 2019, Bungoma County Chief Officer for Finance and Economic Planning Chrispunus Barasa resigned under pressure from Governor Wycliffe Wangamati.
According to sources, Governor Wangamati called Barasa and demanded his resignation, accusing him of being a mole and spying on the county government.
Barasa, who was hired during the reign of former Governor Kenneth Lusaka, had reportedly refused to pay a large sum of money without supporting documents, which further strained his relationship with the executive.
Additionally, sources claimed that Barasa had been subjected to constant interference and demands for cash by a group known as the 'Pentagon' at the county government headquarters.
As of the time of his resignation, Governor Wangamati had yet to name a replacement for Barasa, although sources suggested that J. Namulala, the newly appointed chairman of the county public service board, had been approached to take over the position.
Barasa's resignation has been met with mixed reactions, with some officials praising him as the best performing chief officer, while others have accused him of being a victim of highhandedness by the executive.
