A political standoff is brewing in Bungoma ahead of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's planned homecoming after Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) leader Wafula Wamunyinyi accused Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa of plotting to disrupt the event.
Mr Wamunyinyi claimed that Mr Barasa had sought permission to hold a political rally near Posta Grounds in Bungoma on July 26, the same day Senator Sifuna is expected to be welcomed by his supporters.
Speaking during a public meeting in Kanduyi Constituency on Tuesday, Mr Wamunyinyi said he encountered the issue while seeking clearance from security authorities to use the venue for the homecoming ceremony.
According to the former Kanduyi MP, county security officials informed him that the Kimilili legislator had also applied to hold a separate political meeting a short distance from Posta Grounds.
"When I was preparing to host Edwin Sifuna for his homecoming, I was informed by the county commissioner that Didmus Barasa had also requested a permit from the police to hold a separate rally just a few metres from our venue on the same day. The last time, he disrupted our event. This time, we will not allow him to do so," Mr Wamunyinyi said.
He alleged that the planned rally was intended to interfere with Senator Sifuna's event and warned against any attempts to cause chaos.
Mr Wamunyinyi further accused the Kimilili MP of employing similar tactics during recent public gatherings in the county, claiming that Mr Barasa would leave with a section of supporters after Senator Sifuna arrived at funeral ceremonies.
He insisted that the Nairobi senator's homecoming would proceed as planned, describing Kanduyi as one of Mr Sifuna's political strongholds.
"This is Sifuna's homecoming and nobody will be allowed to interfere with it," he said.
The planned event comes amid heightened political activity in Bungoma County, where rival leaders have intensified efforts to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Mr Sifuna, who serves as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary-general, has in recent months stepped up his political engagements in Western Kenya, frequently joining local leaders at public events and championing the party's grassroots mobilisation.
Mr Barasa, a vocal ally of President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration, has equally maintained an active political presence in the region, often using public forums to defend the government's development agenda and criticise opposition leaders.
The latest claims are likely to heighten political tensions in Bungoma, where the two camps have increasingly competed for influence through rallies, funerals and other public engagements.
Efforts to obtain Mr Barasa's response to the allegations were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
