Wanyonyi Entrance to Bungoma Gubernatorial Race Spells Doom For Didmus Barasa

The 2027 Bungoma gubernatorial race has taken a dramatic turn that could effectively end Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa’s political aspirations, as Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi’s entry into the contest has fundamentally altered the political landscape in the vote-rich county.

What began as speculation has now crystallized into a political reality that threatens to isolate Barasa from the very structures he hoped would propel him to the governor’s mansion.

The unanimous endorsement of Wanyonyi by eight out of nine Bungoma MPs represents more than just political preference—it signals a calculated move to consolidate power and effectively freeze out the controversial Kimilili legislator.

Caucus of Bungoma leaders who endorsed Wanyonyi’s bid.

Speaking on July 15, 2025, Wanyonyi revealed the organic nature of his decision, stating: “I received a lot of delegation from Bungoma telling me that they would love me to be the governor of Bungoma. I listened extensively and got to a point and decided I should.”

This grassroots appeal demonstrates the extent to which local political actors have bypassed Barasa in seeking alternative leadership.

Led by Sirisia MP John Waluke, who chairs the Western MPs caucus, the lawmakers have demonstrated rare unity across party lines.

The coalition includes MPs from Ford-K, UDA, DAP-K, and Jubilee parties, all rallying behind Wanyonyi’s candidacy.

This cross-party support is particularly significant given the fractured nature of Western Kenya politics.

The most telling aspect of this development is Barasa’s conspicuous absence from the crucial meeting where MPs declared their support for Wanyonyi.

According to Waluke, Barasa was “intentionally left out due to his own political ambitions for the same gubernatorial seat.”

This deliberate exclusion reveals the depth of political alienation the Kimilili MP faces within his own county’s political establishment.

Wanyonyi’s account of his engagement with county leaders further underscores Barasa’s isolation.

“I went to Bungoma and met with all the MCAs and all the MPs except one, of course, and they all had the same plea,” Wanyonyi stated, with the “except one” clearly referring to Barasa.

This systematic exclusion from crucial political consultations demonstrates how thoroughly Barasa has been marginalized by his own colleagues.

The MPs backing Wanyonyi include heavyweights such as Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai), John Makali (Kanduyi), Jack Wamboka (Bumula), John Chikati (Tongaren), Martin Pepela Wanyonyi (Webuye East), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), and Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon). This represents a formidable political machine that would be difficult for any candidate to overcome.

Wanyonyi’s strategic positioning

During his official declaration on July 12, 2025, Wanyonyi demonstrated a deep understanding of Bungoma’s political landscape and economic potential.

“Bungoma is a very strategic county, the third largest in Kenya. The potential in this county is huge, and we need to tap it,” he emphasized, positioning himself as a candidate with both vision and practical understanding of the county’s needs.

His emphasis on inclusive leadership and youth empowerment signals a modern approach to governance that contrasts with the more traditional, confrontational style associated with Barasa.

“All the interests in Bungoma, business groups, religious groups, various communities — I know there are many operating from here. When we enter the ground, we will find people who will support us,” Wanyonyi stated, demonstrating his coalition-building approach.

Wetang’ula factor

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s strategic fingerprints are all over this political maneuvering.

As Ford-K party leader and Wanyonyi’s elder brother, Wetang’ula appears to be orchestrating a grand political realignment designed to consolidate Luhya unity under his leadership while simultaneously countering opposition forces in the region.

Wanyonyi, however, has been careful to dismiss suggestions that his candidacy is engineered by others. “My decision to contest in Bungoma was not engineered by anyone and dismissed claims that he could be someone’s political project,” he emphasized, seeking to establish his political independence while benefiting from family connections.

The timing of this endorsement is particularly strategic, coming at a moment when Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi—once the undisputed kingpin of Western Kenya politics—faces his own political challenges. This creates an opportunity for Wetang’ula to assert his dominance in the region’s political hierarchy.

Wanyonyi has skillfully framed his candidacy within the broader context of democratic rights and constitutional freedoms.

“I am within my democratic right to campaign and vie in Bungoma and anywhere else because it is my right,” he stated, effectively countering any potential criticism about his move from Nairobi politics to Bungoma.

This constitutional argument serves multiple purposes: it legitimizes his candidacy, deflects accusations of political opportunism, and emphasizes his connection to Bungoma as his home county.

The “voice of the people is the voice of God” reference further reinforces his claim to popular legitimacy, something that Barasa appears to lack given his isolation from local political structures.

Barasa’s uphill battle

Didmus Barasa’s political journey has been marked by controversy and confrontation, factors that have likely contributed to his current isolation.

His history includes legal challenges, including being charged with shooting incidents, and a reputation for aggressive political tactics that have alienated potential allies.

The systematic exclusion of Barasa from political consultations reveals how thoroughly he has been marginalized.

While Wanyonyi consulted with “all the MCAs and all the MPs except one,” Barasa found himself on the outside of these crucial conversations.

This isolation extends beyond mere political disagreement to what appears to be a deliberate strategy to deny him the institutional support necessary for a successful gubernatorial campaign.

The characterization of Barasa as a “lone ranger” by his fellow MPs is particularly damaging.

In Kenyan politics, where coalition-building and alliance-formation are crucial for success, being politically isolated is often a death sentence for higher office aspirations.

Reports suggest that Barasa is being positioned as a UDA candidate, potentially with backing from what are described as “Kalenjin magas” (magnates).

However, this external support may prove insufficient against the unified front of local political leadership now aligned behind Wanyonyi.

The reference to Barasa as a “State House project”  suggests that his candidacy may have been part of a broader strategy by the ruling party to maintain influence in Bungoma.

However, the reality on the ground appears to have overtaken these initial plans, with local political dynamics proving more decisive than central government preferences.

Electoral mathematics

The electoral arithmetic heavily favors Wanyonyi. With the backing of eight MPs and their political machines, plus the support of elected and nominated MCAs, Wanyonyi enters the race with a significant organizational advantage.

These politicians control substantial grassroots networks, financial resources, and voter mobilization capabilities that would be difficult for Barasa to match.

Moreover, Wanyonyi’s decision to abandon his Nairobi gubernatorial ambitions and focus on Bungoma demonstrates serious commitment to the race, likely reassuring supporters about his dedication to the county’s development.

This development has implications beyond Bungoma.

It represents a significant shift in Western Kenya’s political landscape, potentially consolidating power under the Wetang’ula family’s influence while marginalizing other political actors.

The success of this strategy could provide a template for similar political realignments in other regions.

The isolation of Barasa also sends a message about the consequences of political maverick behavior in Kenya’s coalition-based political system.

Politicians who operate outside established networks and antagonize potential allies may find themselves politically stranded when it matters most.

As Governor Ken Lusaka completes his second and final term, the battle for his succession has effectively been decided before the campaign period officially begins.

Wanyonyi’s entry, backed by overwhelming local political support, appears to have foreclosed Barasa’s path to the governor’s mansion.

For Barasa, the options are limited.

He could attempt to build an insurgent campaign based on grassroots support, but this would require overcoming not just one opponent but an entire political establishment united against him.

Alternatively, he might need to consider whether his political future lies in a different direction entirely.

The endorsement of Tim Wanyonyi by Bungoma’s political establishment represents more than just support for a candidate—it’s a strategic realignment that effectively isolates Didmus Barasa from the political mainstream in his home county.

While Barasa has vowed to contest regardless of opposition, the mathematical and organizational realities suggest that his gubernatorial ambitions may have been effectively ended before they truly began.

The 2027 Bungoma gubernatorial race may still be years away, but the political die appears to have been cast.

Wanyonyi’s entry has fundamentally altered the dynamics, creating a scenario where Barasa’s doom may indeed be sealed by the very political forces he sought to leverage for his own advancement.