By Tony Wafula
Kimilili Member of Parliament (MP) Didmus Barasa has intensified his early campaigns for the Bungoma gubernatorial seat in 2027 by turning to the grassroots for guidance on which political party ticket to use, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest that is already shaping the county’s political landscape.
Speaking during a public engagement forum at Mayanja Kibuke market in Bumula Constituency over the weekend, the vocal lawmaker engaged residents, asking them to weigh in on whether he should vie for the governorship under Ford Kenya, associated with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula or remain in President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
“I want to hear from you, the people of Bungoma. Should I seek this seat through Ford Kenya or remain in UDA? The decision I make must reflect the will of the people because leadership is about service and representation,” Barasa said.
The consultative approach drew mixed but largely decisive reactions from residents, with a majority of his supporters urging him to stick with UDA, citing its national strength and alignment with the current administration.
The calls appeared to reinforce Barasa’s recent political posture, having earlier in his political maneuvers been seen warming up to Ford Kenya before ultimately maintaining his footing within UDA.
“We want you to stay in UDA because that is where the government is. That way, Bungoma will benefit more from national projects and development,” said John Wafula, Barasa’s supporter.
Barasa, who has emerged as one of the key political figures in Bungoma County, has in recent months been actively rallying Western Kenya residents to support President Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
His political messaging has consistently emphasized unity within the region while aligning with the national government to accelerate development.
“As leaders from this region, we must position ourselves strategically to ensure our people benefit from government programs. Supporting President Ruto’s re-election is part of that broader vision,” Barasa said.
Despite his growing visibility and early campaign momentum, Barasa faces a potentially crowded field, with several notable figures eyeing the same gubernatorial seat.
Among those are Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati and businessman Zacharia Barasa.
However, none of the contenders have publicly declared the political parties they intend to use in their bids.
Barasa’s candidacy received a significant boost during President Ruto’s recent tour of the Western region, where the Head of State openly drummed up support for the Kimilili MP, signaling confidence in his leadership and political prospects.
Further, Barasa outlined an ambitious development agenda for Bungoma County, pledging to prioritize key sectors that directly impact residents’ livelihoods, central to his plan is the improvement of Vocational Training Centres (VTCs), Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) facilities and healthcare services.
“If elected governor, I will ensure that our vocational training centres are well-equipped to empower our youth with practical skills. We must also invest in ECDE infrastructure so that our children have a strong educational foundation from an early age,” he stated.
On healthcare, the legislator emphasized the need to upgrade medical facilities across the county to reduce the burden on residents seeking specialized treatment outside Bungoma.
“It is unacceptable that our people have to travel long distances for critical services. My administration will install CT-scan machines in our hospitals to ensure residents access quality healthcare within the county,” Barasa stated.
He further pledged to enhance infrastructure, particularly road networks to facilitate trade and economic growth.
According to him, improved roads would ease the movement of agricultural produce from farms to markets, boosting incomes for local farmers.
“We will establish public works offices in every constituency to oversee road maintenance and rehabilitation. Our farmers should not struggle to transport their produce because of poor roads,” he said.
He added, “A well connected Bungoma is a prosperous Bungoma. Infrastructure development will be a top priority in my administration,”
Barasa was accompanied by Bungoma Woman Representative aspirant Nancy Kibaba, who used the platform to rally support for both her bid and Barasa’s gubernatorial ambitions.
Kibaba criticized the incumbent Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga, accusing her of failing to effectively serve the people.
“We need leadership that is visible and responsive to the needs of the people. Bungoma deserves better representation and that is why I am offering myself for this position,” Kibaba said.
She went on to strongly endorse Barasa, describing him as a leader with a proven development track record and the capacity to transform the county.
“Didmus is a leader whose work can be seen across Kimilili Constituency. Unlike some of his competitors who have little to show, he has consistently delivered for his people. His track record speaks for itself from development initiatives to advocating for the needs of residents. Bungoma needs a governor who understands the challenges on the ground and has the energy and commitment to address them,” she said.
Kibaba urged voters to rally behind Barasa, expressing confidence that his leadership would usher in a new era of growth and transformation in the county.
“If you want progress, if you want better services, then the choice is clear. Let us support Didmus Barasa because he has demonstrated that he can deliver and take Bungoma to greater heights,” she added.
