Didmus Barasa plays down rivalry with Tim Wanyonyi in Bungoma governor race
By Luke Oluoch, December 19, 2025Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has extended an olive branch to his Bungoma gubernatorial rival Tim Wanyonyi’s camp by urging his and his rivals’ supporters to remain united ahead of the 2027 contest.
In a conciliatory statement on Thursday, December 19, 2025, Barasa stated that the political competition should not be construed as enmity, stressing that political contests come and go.
He remarked while offering his condolences to the Wetangulas, who recently lost their brother, James Mukhwana, to death.
We are all friends
“Politics is temporary, but friendship is permanent. Tim and I are not enemies at all despite being in the contest for the gubernatorial race,” he stated.
“We are all brothers. In the next one year and seven months, these politics will come to an end, and we will remain with work to do,” he stated.
He reminded the people that whoever emerges the victor will be the best choice to assume the leadership mantle and take the county forward.
“To our supporters, you have to remain united. The competition between us is only meant to find the best candidate to take the county forward, and whoever wins will become the one to take this country forward. So let us not be hateful or indignant towards each other.”
Wanyonyi and Barasa rank among the front-runners in the race to succeed Ken Lusaka as Bungoma’s third governor in the 2027 polls, with Barasa emphasising that his tenure will bring all people together if elected as the next county boss.
Condoling with the Wetang’ulas
“If I win, I will be the governor for all without discriminating against anyone or choosing between those who voted and those who did not vote for me,” he added.
The MP’s remarks come as the larger Wetang’ula family prepares to lay to rest its brother, James, who passed on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
The eldest son of Mzee Dominic Wetangula will be laid to rest this Friday, December 19, 2025, in Bungoma.