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Tim Wanyonyi dismisses project tag, clarifies meeting with Bungoma leaders

Tim Wanyonyi dismisses project tag, clarifies meeting with Bungoma leaders
Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi speaking at a past event. PHOTO/@HonTimWanyonyi/X

Westlands MP and Bungoma gubernatorial hopeful Tim Wanyonyi has dismissed claims that he is a political project of the county’s leaders.

The allegations emerged following his recent meeting with elected leaders from the county.

Speaking on a local Luhya radio station on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Wanyonyi clarified that his meeting with the lawmakers was a matter of respect and protocol. He explained that all MPs from Bungoma constituencies, except Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa—who is also eyeing the governorship—agreed to meet with him.

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi poses for a photo with eight elected MPs from Bungoma County on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. PHOTO/@HonWamboka/X
Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi poses for a photo with eight elected MPs from Bungoma County on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. PHOTO/@HonWamboka/X

According to Wanyonyi, it is customary to seek permission and goodwill from leaders on the ground when entering a new political zone, which is what led to the consultative forum with MPs and MCAs.

“When entering a new place, you have to seek permission from the owners of that place, and that is why you saw me having a meeting with Bungoma elected leaders since I was entering their zone,” Wanyonyi said.

He firmly rejected the notion that he is a project, saying the purpose of the meeting was to request access to the various constituencies so he can engage directly with the people of Bungoma as part of his 2027 campaign plans.

Wanyonyi also stated that his decision to shift political focus from Nairobi to Bungoma was driven by overwhelming public demand.

He recounted how, during his mother’s funeral in December, residents expressed their desire for him to return home and even joked about mobilising to “take him” from Nairobi if he failed to act.

He went ahead to state that even Sirisia MP John Waluke “once told me that people in Bungoma want me to go back and lead them, but by that time I had a lot of interests in Nairobi only for the seat to be given to the Jubilee candidate.”

Gubernatorial quest

This comes two days after Wanyonyi officially declared his intention to vie for the Bungoma County gubernatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a press briefing on Saturday, July 12, 2025, he emphasised his deep connection to Bungoma and outlined his vision to unlock the county’s potential through inclusive leadership.

“I have come here as a candidate seeking to run as governor of Bungoma. Bungoma is a very strategic county, the third largest in Kenya. The potential in this county is huge, and we need to tap it,” Wanyonyi said.

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