Didmus: I’ll run for Bungoma governor without party primaries
By Mabonga Makhanu, August 4, 2025Kimilili Member of Parliament and Bungoma gubernatorial hopeful Didmus Barasa has declared that he will not take part in party primaries ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an interview on a YouTube podcast on Monday, August 4, 2025, Barasa maintained that he will head straight to the ballot without subjecting himself to any nomination process, regardless of the party’s expectations or the presence of other aspirants.
He stated that his decision is final, and he will not allow himself or any other person to force him into the party primary process.
The Kimilili MP insisted that his candidacy is not up for internal party competition, stressing that he will go all the way to the ballot to seek the mandate of Bungoma residents.
He drew comparisons with previous presidential candidates in Kenya, noting that none of them has ever been subjected to party primaries to determine their eligibility to vie. He said the same principle should apply to other elective positions, such as governor.
According to Didmus Barasa, who is expected to face Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi in the Bungoma gubernatorial race, he has made it clear that he will not allow himself to be persuaded to take part in the primaries.
It is not clear whether Didmus will vie under United Democratic Alliance (UDA) or ditch the ruling party for Ford Kenya or another political outfit.
According to him, he is above the party primaries and will go straight to the ballot and will not subject himself to any nomination process by any party.
“I will not pass through any nomination. I will not pass through any nomination. There are some seats that you can’t go through nomination. Wewe umewahi ona tangu uhuru iannze a presidential candidate going through a nomination. Umewahi sikia nomination ya kiti ya Gavana, kiti ya Gavan ani kama kiti ya governor hakuna nomination,” Didmus stated.
The Gubernatorial race
This comes after Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi’s dramatic entry into the 2027 Bungoma gubernatorial race, which has intensified the competition to succeed Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who is serving his final term.
Wanyonyi, a seasoned Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politician and brother to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, announced his candidacy on July 12, 2025, positioning himself as a technocratic leader focused on addressing Bungoma’s challenges, including underperforming agriculture, poor infrastructure, and youth unemployment.
He has distanced himself from party politics, stating, “I am not running as an ODM candidate. I am here as Tim Wanyonyi.”
He has secured endorsements from eight of Bungoma’s nine MPs—John Waluke, Jack Wamboka, Martin Pepela, John Chikati, Dan Wanyama, John Makali, Majimbo Kalasinga, and Fred Kapondi—along with all 62 MCAs and key Ford Kenya officials, including Secretary General John Chikati and Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga.