Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has withdrawn his political support for National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, opening a new front in the contest to succeed Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka in the 2027 General Election.
Barasa, who is seeking the governorship on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, announced on Monday that he would chart a different political path in Bungoma, accusing Wetang’ula of failing to provide the county with meaningful benefits despite more than three decades in leadership.
“After deep reflection, I have resolved to chart an independent political path in Bungoma, separate from Rt. Hon. Moses Wetang’ula’s local political direction,” Barasa said in a statement.
The MP said his decision followed disagreements over the county’s political direction, particularly Wetang’ula’s perceived support for his younger brother, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, who is also eyeing the Bungoma governorship.
Barasa accused the Ford-Kenya leader of maintaining conflicting political loyalties by supporting President William Ruto’s broad-based government nationally while allegedly favouring Wanyonyi in the local succession contest.
“The growing perception that Rt. Hon. Wetang’ula is tacitly supporting his brother, Hon. Tim Wanyonyi, and the opposition formation to which he is aligned, constitutes a serious conflict of interest and a case of dual political allegiance,” he said.
He argued that the governorship contest should be determined by voters rather than political endorsements or family connections.
“Bungoma is not a monarchy. It is a democracy premised on merit, competition, and the sovereign will of the people, not hereditary succession,” Barasa said.
The Kimilili MP also questioned the management of resources allocated under a memorandum of understanding between UDA and Ford-Kenya, alleging that the arrangement had benefited Wetang’ula’s close associates and family members. He did not provide independently verified evidence to substantiate the allegations.
Despite the fallout, Barasa maintained that he remained committed to Ruto and the broad-based government, insisting that his disagreement with Wetang’ula was confined to Bungoma politics.
He said he would now concentrate on strengthening UDA’s grassroots structures and building alliances with local leaders and Ford-Kenya members who share his position on the county’s leadership.
The move could complicate efforts by Ford-Kenya to maintain its influence in Bungoma, where the party has held the governorship since the advent of devolution.
Wanyonyi is among the leading figures positioning themselves for the seat, alongside Barasa and former governor Wycliffe Wangamati, who is seeking to return to office after losing to Lusaka in 2022.
Lusaka is serving his second and final term, setting the stage for a succession contest that has already drawn senior national and county leaders into competing political camps.
Barasa’s announcement comes amid shifting alliances among elected leaders in the county. Webuye East MP Martin Pepela, who had previously supported Wanyonyi’s gubernatorial ambitions, is among those reported to have backed Barasa.
The dispute also places Wetang’ula’s influence in Bungoma under scrutiny as leaders begin organising for the next election.
