Didmus Barasa dismisses Tim Wanyonyi’s endorsement as gubernatorial race heats up
Kimilili Member of Parliament (MP) and Bungoma gubernatorial aspirant has brushed off Westlands counterpart Tim Wanyonyi’s endorsement by Bungoma leaders, labeling them as brokers.
The lawmakers endorsed their Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) colleague to vie for the Bungoma governor’s seat to replace the outgoing governor and former Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka.
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Speaking at Bumula centre on Friday, October 3, 2025, during a public engagement with locals, Barasa rallied Bungoma residents to back him for the top county seat, affirming that he is equal to the task and that he would transform the lives of the people.
“When you enter a health facility in Bungoma, you will wonder; instead of thinking how you will get well, you think of death. If elected the governor, I assure you that I will improve and elevate health facilities in the whole county,” he affirmed.
Political fireworks have emerged between the gubernatorial hopefuls in Bungoma as aspirants traverse the county to woo the voters.
Top the agenda, Barasa cited bettering the poor health and sanitation sector, supporting Vocational Education, and coming up with policies that would support older citizens.
“I’m the one who suits this position because I have been here with you for a long time; my opponent came recently, and he doesn’t understand the needs of the people,” he said.
Bungoma 2027 fireworks?
Barasa, who was once endorsed by the National Assembly Speaker and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula, argues that the health system in Bungoma is in a sorry state, promising to revive health facilities once elected the county boss.
But now he faces a political quagmire as Wetang’ula is poised to support his Kin in the 2027 Bugoma gubernatorial race.
On his part, Barasa ramped up his rally, saying that should he triumph, the administration will focus on upgrading and supporting students in the Vocational Training Institutes is also on his agenda of transforming the County.
Also watch: Wanyonyi says Wetang’ula’s return to Bungoma politics would be a step backwards
Further, Barasa watered down the Wycliffe Wangamati regime, arguing that nothing was done in Bumula during his 2017- 2022 administration.
“During Wangamati’s time, he appointed people from Bumula, but when you check well on mega projects, none were brought here; that is why I’m rallying you my people to elect me to serve you as the governor,” he stated.
Barasa scoffed at Sirisia MP John Waluke, who is leading MP Wanyonyi’s campaigns for referring to him (Didmus) as a young person who cannot run the county as the governor, dismissing that the governor’s seat is not rotational, as claimed by Waluke.
“If Waluke thinks he is popular enough, let him come and compete with me in this hotly contested race; I assure him that he won’t defeat me,” he said.
