Manyora explains why Sifuna could get more votes in Vihiga than in Bungoma County
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 27, 2026Political analyst Herman Manyora has opined that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna could end up receiving a higher percentage of votes in Vihiga County than in Bungoma County, where he was born and raised.
Speaking on a local radio station on Monday, July 27, 2026, following Sifuna’s homecoming tour that attracted large crowds in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties, Manyora argued that Vihiga presents the senator with the least political resistance among the counties in the western region.
“Do you know where Sifuna will get the highest percentage of votes? It is Vihiga. I come from there, so I know. If you go to Bungoma, where he comes from, you must first factor in the Mount Elgon people, the Sabaot community. There may not be many, but some of them are Kalenjins who support President William Ruto,” he added.
“Secondly, there is National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa. They may not stop the Sifuna wave, but they will not come out empty-handed.”
According to the political analyst, although Bungoma is Sifuna’s home county, the senator is unlikely to secure an overwhelming share of the vote there because of the presence of other influential political leaders and competing political interests.
Bungoma political dynamics
Manyora noted that parts of Bungoma, particularly the Mount Elgon region, have voters who support President William Ruto, while National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa also command significant political support.
He argued that although these leaders may not stop Sifuna’s growing popularity, they would still attract a considerable share of votes, reducing his overall percentage in the county.
He contrasted this with Vihiga County, saying Sifuna currently faces little organised political opposition there, making it easier for him to post a much higher percentage of votes.
Manyora further observed that Sifuna’s support could also be diluted in Kakamega County because of the influence of former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and ODM leaders who have aligned themselves with President William Ruto.
Trans Nzoia dynamics
He also pointed to Trans Nzoia County, arguing that its sizeable Kalenjin population could reduce Sifuna’s vote share, while in Busia County, divisions within ODM and the county’s unique political dynamics would likely prevent him from securing an overwhelming majority.
According to Manyora, these factors leave Vihiga as the county where Sifuna is most likely to record his highest percentage of votes in Western Kenya.
He added that the growing support Sifuna is enjoying across the Western region signals his increasing political influence, arguing that anyone hoping to challenge him for the region’s support would face a difficult task.
This comes at a time when OCMES imp Caleb Amisi has warned Sifuna against being reduced to a Luhya leader, saying that it will strip him of the national face he has been enjoying for the recent past