By Tony Wafula
Kimilili Member of Parliament (MP) and 2027 Bungoma gubernatorial aspirant Didmus Barasa has dismissed the endorsement of Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi by Bungoma MPs and MCAs, describing them as “brokers”. The legislators had endorsed their Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) colleague to contest the Bungoma governor’s seat to succeed outgoing governor and former Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka.
Political fireworks have erupted among gubernatorial hopefuls in Bungoma, with aspirants criss-crossing the county to woo voters ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking at Bumula Centre on Friday during a public engagement with residents, Barasa urged Bungoma voters to back his bid for the top county seat, saying he is equal to the task and committed to transforming lives across the county.
Top on his agenda, Barasa said, is improving the poor health and sanitation sector, strengthening vocational education, and introducing policies to support older citizens. Barasa, who was previously endorsed by Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula, criticised the current state of healthcare in the county, promising to revitalise health facilities if elected governor. “When you enter a health facility in Bungoma, you will wonder, instead of thinking about recovery, you think of death. If elected governor, I assure you I will improve and upgrade all health facilities across the county,” he affirmed.
He added that upgrading and supporting students in Vocational Training Institutes also form a key part of his development agenda. Barasa dismissed MP Wanyonyi as a “tourist” who does not understand the needs of Bungoma residents. “I am the right person for this position because I have been here with you for a long time. My opponent came recently and does not understand our people’s needs,” he said.
Further, Barasa criticised former Governor Wycliffe Wangamati’s administration, arguing that Bumula Constituency did not benefit from any major development projects during his 2017–2022 tenure.
“During Wangamati’s time, he appointed people from Bumula, but when you check for major projects, none were implemented here. That is why I’m rallying you, my people, to elect me to serve you as governor,” he stated.
Barasa also hit out at Sirisia MP John Waluke, who is leading Wanyonyi’s campaign, for referring to him as “too young” to run the county. He dismissed the notion that the governor’s seat should be rotational, as alleged by Waluke. “If Waluke thinks he is popular enough, let him come and compete with me in this hotly contested race. I assure him he will not defeat me,” he said.
Barasa was accompanied by several of his supporters, including senatorial aspirant Machacha Majembe, Jemimah Pkomu, and Bungoma Woman Representative aspirant Nancy Kibaba.
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