A Simple intro on his LinkedIn account briefly tells us that Fernandes Barasa FCPA ogw is an Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the oil & energy industry. Skilled in Cash Flow, Internal Audit, Accounting, Treasury, and Internal Controls. Strong business development professional with a B, COM( ACCOUNTING), MBA-FINANCE focused in ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE from Kenyatta University
But to the great people of Kakamega county, he is a loyal son whom they look forward to giving the mantle once Oparanya’s tenure comes to an end in 2022.
Who is FCPA , OGW Fernandes Barasa?
Born and raised in the green Village of Khabondi- East Wanga location, Mumias East of humble parents.
FCPA Barasa attended Khabondi Primary where he excelled and later joined Naitiri High School (Form 1-4) and proceeded to Kenyatta University for a B. Com (Accounting) and MBA (Finance) degrees.
His love for figures led him into the world of figures thus becoming a distinguished accountant. He has a wealth of experience in Public Finance, Risk Management, Change Management, and Corporate Governance. All these credentials are a whole mark of a hardworking man who given chance can help transform the great county of Kakamega.
FCPA Barasa is also a trained Lead Auditor in ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems (QMS) and a Fellow of the highly-rated Institute.
Mr. Barasa has also served as Accounts Manager, Treasury Manager and later Head of Factories Accounts at Kenya Tea Development Agency Ltd leaving behind golden footsteps.
From Ktda, Kenya Airways and East Africa Re came calling and Mr. Barasa being a diligent servant took up Senior Finance management positions in the two giant institutions.
The boy who only wanted to be a bus driver now at the top Of Ketraco and on the verge of becoming the next Kakamega county governor in 2022.
’’ I used to trek for over 10km daily to school. My greatest ambition then was to become a bus driver. This dream was inspired by Hello children’ bus by Mr. Kamau and again there was only one bus that used to pass our local market back then which made me regard the driver as a here because of his ability to navigate the bus to ‘ the ends of the world and back’ so to speak’’ narrates Fernandes.
Having a firsthand experience of the hard village life and now enjoying the fruits of hard work, resilience, and dedication, Mr. Barasa believes in possibilities everywhere.
Of the five top possible replacements of Oparanya as governor, FCPA Barasa stands out as the sole suitable for replacing Ambetsa Oparanya himself an accountant of high standing.
’’By electing Oparanya as our first governor and subsequently re-electing him in 2017 has not only raised the bar high for any future potential governor for our country but has placed our county on the right trajectory in terms of development. Kakamega county is the heartbeat of Western Kenya and therefore we must always go for the best brains on the market when we think of Oparanya’s replacement. We cannot gamble and have a politician as our next county chief. We need a tried and tested leader and FCPA Barasa fits the bill’’ an MCA who spoke to www.goodmorningKenya on condition of anonymity said.
Fernandez Barasa Foundation changing lives in Kakamega county.
“leadership is identifying a need and laying down practical steps in solving it’’ FCPA Barasa
The Ketraco MD cognizant of the challenges faced by upcountry folks especially in his home county of Kakamega has put up the Fernades Barasa foundation that is championing for change in several social spheres.
Curbing teens pregnancy and menstrual hygiene.
Teen pregnancy has been a great challenge in the country and particularly in Kakamega county where over 6,000 teen pregnancies in the last seven months have been registered. It is against this backdrop that Barasa Foundation strives to play an important role to curb the ever-increasing number of such cases in Kakamega county.
It is also worth noting that the Barasa Foundation sanitary pads project was launched in the Lugari constituency by our Executive Director, Dr. Janet Kasili Barasa. hundreds of girls in Chekalini Parish under Rt. Rev. Fr. Erambo & Fr. Shiachi and St. Marks Nzoia Parish in Nzoia Ward under Fr. Godfrey Bahati & Fr. Henry Alusiola have benefitted immensely from this noble program.
Barasa foundation has been donating sanitary pads and inner wears to hundreds of boys and girls coming from vulnerable families and also taught them the need to abstain from sex before marriage.
Constructing houses for the most vulnerable in the society.
Mr. Barasas under his foundation has managed to put up houses for many vulnerable families in the county. Barasa understands pretty well the challenges the village folks are facing and is making it humane enough for them to have a decent roof on their heads without having to worry about the rainy seasons.
Do not lower the guard yet, covid 19 is real.
FCPA Fernandes Barasa while acknowledging the challenges that the new normal has visited upon the people of Kakamega, he has urged the communities not to lower the guard yet even as we see the high numbers of covid 19 related deaths in the county.
While mourning his long time friend and Mp the late Justus Murunga of Matungu, Mr. Barasa has echoed the governments covid 19 protocols.
“Let us not tire in keeping with the laid down covid 19 protocols, we are a community that enjoys being together but covid 19 has threatened the very fabric that we are built on. I, therefore, urge you to remain steadfast and keep watch.’’ He said.
As the 2022 race for Kakamega governorship draws near, Ketraco MD Mr. Fernades Barasa FCPA, OGW is the man to watch.
