Didmus Barasa slams DG Jenipher Mbatiany’s gubernatorial entry as vote-splitting tactic
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 9, 2026Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has dismissed Bungoma Deputy Governor (DG) Jenipher Mbatiany’s entry into the 2027 gubernatorial race, saying she is being used by Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, who is also interested in the seat, to divide votes.
While speaking in Kapsokwony on the heels of the deputy governor declaring her interest in replacing her boss, Ken Lusaka, after the completion of his term in 2027, the outspoken legislator launched a scathing attack on the deputy governor, claiming she is being used to split votes in Mt Elgon.
According to Didmus Barasa, Mbatiany, who is a native of Mt Elgon, an area he believes he has significant support in, has been brought in after his opponent Tim Wanyonyi realised that the region is fully behind him.
He claimed that Wanyonyi has resorted to using Mbatiany to split votes to his detriment, arguing that he is popular in Mt Elgon and has strong Sabaot support behind him.
He continued to state that Mbatiany and Wanyonyi’s plan will not materialise, saying he has already made inroads into the area.
“After kujua kwamba Mt Elgon ndio ngome yangu, wameanza kujikuna kichwa vile watanimaliza, wakaona njia mwafaka ya kunimaliza ni kuleta huyu Mbatiany ndio aharibu kura, ati asimame governor ndio aharibu kura ya Mt Elgon, ataweza ama atashindwa. Tim Wanyonyi amenunua mama Jeniffer, and amemuambia ati aje anihangaishe hapa Mlima Elgon,” he said.
Mbatiany now becomes the fifth candidate to declare her interest in vying for the Bungoma gubernatorial seat. Apart from Wanyonyi, Barasa, and Mbatiany, former Bungoma Governor Wafula Wangamati has also announced that he will be seeking to finish his last term.
Savula’s gubernatorial bid
Mbatiany now joins the list of deputy governors who have declared interest in challenging their bosses, with the most recent being Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, who is seeking to contest against his boss Fernandes Barasa in the 2027 polls.
While speaking in Kakamega on Wednesday, February 2, 2026, the outspoken deputy governor, days after ditching his Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) and in the company of a few UDA officials, including Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana, declared that in 2027, he will be eyeing the Kakamega top seat through the ruling party.