Didmus Barasa: I’ll return to UDA if Wetang’ula doesn’t back me for Bungoma governor
By Mabonga Makhanu, September 2, 2025Kimilili Member of Parliament (MP) and Bungoma gubernatorial hopeful Didmus Barasa has threatened to return to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) if Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula fails to support his bid for the Bungoma governorship.
Speaking during an interview on a local radio station on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Barasa expressed disappointment with the way he is currently being treated by the Ford Kenya party. He noted that after being elected to Parliament in 2022 on a UDA ticket, he later ditched the party for Ford Kenya, a move that was well received at the time.
According to him, he has since embraced the party fully. However, following the announcement by Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi of his return to Bungoma politics and his declaration of interest in the gubernatorial race, Barasa claims the party has sidelined him. He added that members who once cherished him and supported his ambition now appear unwilling to back him.
“Honestly speaking, I have been in Ford Kenya, but they don’t want me; the party leaders have refused to support me; they have ditched me, and all have decided to throw their weight behind Tim Wanyonyi. Instead of cherishing me for having joined the party earlier, they have gone out to cherish another person,” Didimus said.
Wetangula’s decision
Barasa stated that he is only waiting for direction from the Ford-K party leader, Moses Wetang’ula. He explained that Wetang’ula has so far maintained that he supports his ambition, insisting that it is only he who has given such assurance.
He further noted that he is waiting to see what position Wetang’ula eventually takes since, in his view, the Ford Kenya leader has remained neutral on whether to support him or Tim Wanyonyi.
Barasa warned that should Wetang’ula lean towards his brother Tim, he would have no option but to return to UDA, the party that sponsored him to Parliament in 2022, and seek the Bungoma gubernatorial seat on its ticket.
“I am only waiting for one person – only waiting for one person – and that is the Ford Kenya party leader to establish his stand, since up to today he still says he has not changed his mind, and as we speak today I am in UDA, and if Ford Kenya doesn’t want me, I will go back to UDA,” he added.
Didimus Barasa has also in the past made clear that he won’t be subjected to party primaries and will go straight to the ballot.