Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has criticised Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa over what he called money-driven politics during a burial ceremony in Kabuchai, Bungoma County, where tensions briefly disrupted proceedings.

The incident took place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, during the burial of the father of former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati. Leaders from across Western Kenya gathered for the ceremony.

At the funeral, the mood shifted when Barasa left the venue with a section of his supporters just as Sifuna prepared to speak.

Sifuna downplays the walkout

Addressing mourners, Sifuna downplayed the walkout but used the moment to question what he described as repeated political behaviour he has seen over time.

“Msiwe na wasi wasi huyu ndugu yetu mweshimiwa Didmus tumemzoea. Hii vipindi tumezoea, mimi nimekuwa kwa siasa miaka mingi,” he said, urging the crowd not to be surprised.

He then accused him of organising crowds and paying small amounts of money to influence attendance and reactions at public events.

“Ati wakati Sifuna anasimama kuongea yeye anatoka anaenda kupangisha watu line wakule mia mbili,” he said, claiming that individuals are sometimes lined up and paid 200 shillings to stage walkouts or show support.

Sifuna also linked such practices to parliamentary voting, arguing that he supports tax measures that burden citizens but later return to distribute cash at funerals and public gatherings.

“Wakati ambapo kura ya muhimu inakuja katika bunge ya kuwekelea ushuru kwa wananchi anawaumiza nyinyi. Yeye anapiga yes alafu anaingia KCB Bank ya Bungoma anachukua mia mbili mia mbili anakuja nayo kwa matanga ati agawie nyinyi,” he said.

He added that this kind of politics should end.

“Hii ndio siasa tunataka tuwache nyuma katika taifa hili letu la Kenya. Tunataka tuwaambie hiyo siasa ilipitwa na wakati,” Sifuna said.

The remarks drew mixed reactions from mourners, with some backing his criticism of handout politics while others viewed Barasa’s exit with supporters as a show of strength in Bungoma politics.

Rising political tensions

The burial also attracted senior Western Kenya leaders, including Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and DAP-Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa, with political leaders using the event to signal their growing influence in the region ahead of the 2027 elections. Natembeya had earlier said the ceremony would be a key moment for political declarations in Western Kenya, raising the political temperature around the event.

The exchange reflects rising political competition in Western Kenya, where allied groups within the broader opposition space are increasingly using funerals and public gatherings to project influence and test support.

Edwin Sifuna has continued to position himself as a critic of transactional politics, calling for issue-based leadership and accountability in Parliament.

Didmus Barasa remains a strong political figure in Bungoma, with a loyal support base that often follows him during public events.

Earlier in the day, Sifuna had been hosted by Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga at his home as he travelled to the funeral. The MP, who has been closely aligned with Sifuna under the Linda Mwananchi political network, showed him around his homestead and spoke about past political tensions in the area, including damage to his property during campaigns.

The burial was held just a short distance from Kalasinga’s home, drawing a large political presence.