Rivalry intensifies in Bungoma as Didmus Barasa counters Gachagua's tour

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa held a rally in Kanduyi Constituency while the United Opposition intensified its tour of western Kenya over the weekend. [File, Standard] 

Political supremacy battles seem to be building up in Bungoma County as alignments shift as Kenya Kwanza and the opposition face each other.

Over the weekend, political temperatures escalated as Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa held a separate rally in Kanduyi Constituency while the United Opposition intensified its campaign to win support in Western Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The parallel political activities underscored the growing battle between allies of President William Ruto and opposition leaders seeking to weaken Kenya Kwanza’s influence in a region that overwhelmingly backed the coalition in the 2022 polls.

The United Opposition, led by former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua alongside his co-principals was on a three-day tour of the Western region aimed at popularising the coalition and rallying residents behind its bid to unseat President Ruto in 2027.

In what appeared to be a calculated effort to counter the opposition’s inroads into Bungoma County, however, Barasa convened a rally at Lutungu Market in Kanduyi Constituency to shore up support for the Kenya Kwanza administration and challenge the opposition’s message.

The two camps held their meetings less than two kilometres apart, highlighting the intensifying rivalry as both sides compete for political dominance in the vote-rich Western Kenya.

Addressing residents, Barasa dismissed the opposition’s charm offensive in the region, arguing that its leaders lacked a clear development agenda for Western Kenya.

The United Democratic Alliance legislator took issue with Gachagua’s tour of the region, accusing the former Deputy President of resorting to divisive politics following his impeachment.

“Rigathi should stop pretending that he values this region because during his tenure as Deputy President he never toured this region to initiate a single development project. Why is he coming here now with promises and political rhetoric?” Barasa said.

He urged residents to continue supporting the Kenya Kwanza administration, insisting that the government remained committed to implementing development projects despite criticism from its opponents.

Barasa, who has declared interest in succeeding Kenneth Lusaka as Bungoma governor in the 2027 gubernatorial race, also used the platform to outline his vision for the county.

He pledged to improve healthcare services, support farmers, strengthen vocational training centres and implement a countywide environmental cleanliness initiative dubbed “Ondoa Nyasi” if elected governor.

“My agenda for this great county is straightforward. I want to improve healthcare systems, support our farmers, strengthen vocational training centres and implement the Ondoa Nyasi initiative across the county to ensure that our people are living in dignity,” he said.

The legislator also rejected claims by rivals that he mobilises supporters through handouts during public functions and funerals.

“I do not pay people to attend my meetings or follow me to funerals. The people of Bungoma follow me because they trust me and want to hear my vision for this county,” Barasa stated.

Meanwhile, speaking during the opposition’s Western Kenya tour, Gachagua accused President Ruto’s administration of failing to honour key promises made to residents during the 2022 election campaigns.

He cited stalled infrastructure projects, poor road networks and the government’s decision to lease Nzoia Sugar Company instead of investing in its modernisation as evidence that the region had been shortchanged.

Gachagua urged Western Kenya voters to reject President Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that despite strongly backing Kenya Kwanza in the last election, the region had not received its fair share of development.

He also criticised the political cooperation agreement between Ford Kenya and the Amani National Congress, describing it as an arrangement driven by personal interests.