Kimilili Member of Parliament Didimus Barasa has taken his Bungoma gubernatorial campaigns a notch higher by being coronated as a Sabaot elder.

The event took place in a colourful ceremony in Kapsokwony, Mt Elgon Constituency, on Saturday, March 29, 2026, where elders from the Sabaot, a Kalenjin sub-tribe domiciled in Bungoma County, recognised Didimus Barasa, a Bukusu, as one of their elders.

Didimus Barasa, whose spouse also has roots in the Sabaot community, was given a walking stick and traditional attire to symbolise his newfound status within the Sabaot community, which has always had a major say in Bungoma County political races, especially gubernatorial races.

After being coronated as an elder, Didimus Barasa, who has been drawing huge crowds in Mt Elgon during his efforts to popularise his 2027 bids, stated that just as he has been coronated as an elder, he will lead the county with the wisdom, courage, and conviction of an elder. He also added that he will be a leader who listens to the grassroots.

“Vile wazee wasaboat wamekubali leo wamenitawaza mimi kuwa mzee wakisabaoat, nyinyi mnaona hii type yangu mpya ya mzee wa sabaot. Natosha, sitoshi, niko sawa siko sawa.”

“Na mimi naambia wale wazee vile wamenitawaza leo kuwa mzee mwenzawo mimi nitalinda wanachi wa Bungoma kama mzee, nitawalinda na Hekima ya kiuzee, nitawakinda na ujasiri ya wazee.”

Bungoma gubernatorial race

This comes at a time when Didimus Barasa is a prominent contender for the Bungoma gubernatorial seat.

The race has already attracted four candidates, including Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, who has shifted his focus from Nairobi to his backyard in Bungoma. Current Deputy Governor Jennepher Mbatiany is also in the race, as is former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, who is seeking to regain the seat he lost in 2022.

Didimus Barasa’s campaign

Didimus Barasa has been conducting county-wide tours, drawing massive crowds, similar to Tim Wanyonyi, who has been enjoying the same.

But unlike Barasa, Tim Wanjonyi enjoys backing from most MPs and MCAs in Bungoma. However, the MPs recently appeared to distance themselves from Tim after his attacks on his brother, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and the Ford Kenya party.

Wanyonyi stated that he does not know which party he will use to contest for the Bungoma gubernatorial seat, but he is certain it will not be Ford Kenya. This angered Ford Kenya MPs, who said they will not associate with him and plan to field a candidate against him.

This also comes at a time when the influence of Moses Wetang’ula, who has traditionally determined who becomes the Bungoma governor, appears to be dwindling—especially after his Chwele-Kabuchai “Waterloo”, which even saw Didimus Barasa remark that he does not want to associate with politicians whose political careers are on the edge, although he did not specify whom he was referring to.

He added that Bungoma residents may follow a leader for a long time, but when they realise that he is not delivering and continues to overpromise, they eventually abandon him.