Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has openly admitted that the Kenya Kwanza coalition misjudged the strength of their preferred candidate, Vincent Maunda, in the recently concluded Chwele–Kabuchai Ward by-elections. Speaking during an interview at his home on Saturday, December 7, 2025, Barasa said the team had initially believed Maunda would easily secure victory over independent candidate Erick Wekesa. The confidence, he noted, came from the assumption that Ford Kenya’s popularity in the region, coupled with the influence of party leader Moses Wetang’ula, would deliver a smooth win.
According to Barasa, it was only in the final days of the campaign that internal opinion surveys revealed Maunda’s support was significantly weaker than expected. The data suggested that Maunda was struggling to gain traction with voters, prompting Barasa to step in personally in an attempt to rescue the campaign. Despite these efforts, the election results showed a decisive win for Erick Wekesa, who outperformed Maunda by a wide margin.
Barasa described the loss as a humbling experience and a clear indication that voter preferences in the region are shifting. He acknowledged that residents of Chwele–Kabuchai are increasingly voting based on individual merit rather than party allegiance. He further emphasized that no leader, regardless of their political stature, can impose a candidate on an electorate that has already made up its mind.
Despite the setback, Barasa dismissed suggestions that the by-election outcome would negatively impact his own political plans, particularly his ambitions in the upcoming Bungoma gubernatorial contest. He insisted that a ward by-election does not reflect county-wide political dynamics and stated that he remains focused on strengthening his appeal to voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Chwele–Kabuchai by-election results and Barasa’s remarks point to an evolving political environment in Bungoma County, where grassroots sentiment is increasingly becoming the determining factor in electoral outcomes.
