A fresh court battle has put Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa on the spot after a resident moved to the High Court seeking answers over an alleged KSh450 million extortion saga, accusing the county boss of failing to account for the source of the money at the centre of the claim.

In the petition, Stephen Otieno argues that Governor Barasa’s handling of the criminal case linked to the alleged extortion raises serious questions about transparency, accountability and leadership integrity, claiming the governor pursued the matter in court without producing financial records to show the existence or lawful source of the millions.

Court papers state that Barasa had reported an alleged plot to extort KSh450 million, leading to criminal cases against several individuals at the Kibera Law Courts. However, the petitioner claims the governor did not table bank statements, tax documents or other financial evidence to back the claims despite the huge sums involved.

“The continued failure to disclose financial records relating to the alleged KSh450 million raises fundamental questions on transparency, accountability and fitness to hold public office,” the petitioner says in court documents.

Otieno further alleges that after pressure mounted for disclosure of financial records, the governor allegedly sought to withdraw the criminal proceedings, a move he says was aimed at shutting down scrutiny and avoiding public accountability.

The petitioner says the unresolved questions surrounding the alleged KSh450 million and lack of a verifiable financial trail have sparked public concern over integrity in county leadership and possible breaches of constitutional principles on transparency and good governance.

He is now asking the High Court to declare that Barasa violated constitutional standards on accountability, find that withholding financial records infringed on public access to information, and determine whether the governor remains fit to hold office under Chapter Six of the Constitution.