Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has refuted claims that he has defected ODM party to join the ruling party UDA.
He spoke on Saturday in Kakamega County where he launched the Governor's Cup at Bushiri Grounds.
Barasa said he is only working with President William Ruto to bring development to his county.
"I have not defected to the UDA party. My focus remains on collaborating with the President on developmental matters," he said.
"Kwa hivo wale ambao wanapiga siasa kule nje wanasema governor ameenda UDA, sisi tunashirikiana kiamaendeleo. My priority as a governor is to serve the people of Kakamega in collaboration with the National government," Barasa said.
The governor said the constitution recognises collaboration between the national government and the county government.
Barasa said governors need not apologise to anyone for working with the national government to bring development to their counties.
"Collaboration with the President is the only way we are going to have meaningful development here in Kakamega County," he said.
He said the county would support the President in making the sugar belt in the region beneficial to the farmers again by reviving the sugar factories.
Barasa urged the President to address issues to do with the planting of sugarcane in the region.
"All the public sugar factories, the government is going to invest in cane development. We want him to focus on planting sugarcane and then he will sort out the management of our sugar factories," Barasa said.
