Sifuna’s dilemma as three allies eye Linda Mwananchi ticket for Bungoma governor
Nairobi Senator and The Equitable Party (TEP) leader Edwin Sifuna during a joint media engagement at Four Points By Sheraton Nairobi Hurlingham on October 9, 2026.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna faces a delicate political balancing act in his Bungoma backyard, where three of his allies are battling for the Linda Mwananchi Movement ticket in the 2027 gubernatorial race.
Mr Sifuna, who has emerged as one of the influential political figures in Western Kenya, has declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2027 under the Linda Mwananchi banner.
However, his growing political influence at the national level could be tested at home, where former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi and businessman Zacharia Barasa are all eyeing the county's top seat.
The situation contrasts with neighbouring Trans Nzoia, where Governor George Natembeya is widely seen as the leading figure seeking re-election under the Linda Mwananchi Movement party.
Mr Wangamati, who served as Bungoma governor between 2017 and 2022, lost his seat to incumbent Ken Lusaka. During the 2022 election, Mr Wangamati was aligned with the Azimio coalition, while Mr Lusaka aligned with President William Ruto's political camp.
But the former governor says he is confident of securing the Linda Mwananchi ticket, insisting his development record gives him an advantage over his rivals.
Speaking to the Nation, Mr Wangamati said he was ready for party nominations and was confident of defeating Mr Wanyonyi and Mr Barasa.
“I have been campaigning and what I have seen is that Bungoma residents want me back as their governor because of the work I did. I am ready for the Linda Mwananchi nominations and, judging by the situation on the ground, I am well placed to defeat them,” he said.
Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati.
“Bungoma's next governor will come from Linda Mwananchi, and I am in that camp. My development record set a high standard that has never been matched,” he added.
Mr Wangamati cited the construction of the Bungoma dual carriageway, Kanduyi Stadium and a new county hospital with more than 300 beds among the projects initiated during his tenure.
He also pledged to revive scholarships for more than 300 students he sponsored to study in the United States.
Mr Wanyonyi's entry into the party was formally welcomed by Mr Sifuna during the unveiling of Linda Mwananchi leaders in Lavington, Nairobi, last Friday.
However, the Westlands MP, who is the brother of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, faces the challenge of building a political network in Bungoma after years of concentrating his politics in Nairobi, where he has served as MP since 2013.
Mr Wangamati has already questioned the Wetang'ula family's political influence in the county, arguing that it has not translated into sufficient development.
“Bungoma is not a monarchy to elect the Wetang'ula family in every election. Their leadership has not helped this county in terms of development. People are not ready for the leadership of the Wetangula family; we have embraced Sifuna,” he said.
Mr Wanyonyi, however, maintains that his decision to leave ODM and return to Bungoma is driven by what he describes as a calling to serve his home county.
“Mr Sifuna and I were frustrated in ODM, and you saw what they did to me in Nairobi last time. I was the favourite and would have become governor in Nairobi, but I agreed to return to my parliamentary seat. The voice of God has told me to come home and vie in Bungoma,” he said.
Speaking in Matisi, Mr Wanyonyi said he was also ready to battle for the Linda Mwananchi ticket, promising to transform public institutions if elected.
“We need to improve infrastructure in our learning institutions, just like in other counties where public schools look like private schools. Help me transform Bungoma, and in my first term, the change will be evident even in the lives of our people,” he said.
Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi.
Mr Barasa, a businessman from Bumula Constituency, has also been accompanying Mr Sifuna to public events and positioning himself as a contender for the governorship. He says he has fought for the 60 acres of airport land to be reverted to the public and interest of those working at Nzoia Sugar company.
“I am a man who has been fighting for this county. I went to court and fought to have the airstrip restored and also fought for Nzoia. If Sifuna rises to the top and I become governor, this county will be well governed and our interest taken keen care of. I’m ready to face my opponents in nominations and know they can’t beat me,” he said in an interview with the Nation.
Mr Barasa expressed confidence that he would secure the Linda Mwananchi ticket, saying he started showing his allegiance and belief on Mr Sifuna long before Mr Wanyonyi and Mr Wangamati. He says the county seats should be distributed among the regions equally.
“Moses Wetangúla who is the speaker comes from Kabuchai, Senator Wafula Wakoli, Woman Rep Catherine Wambilianga, county speaker all come from Kabuchai. Lusaka comes from Kimilili as well as Didmus, it is time for seats to be distributed fairly and not only one or two regions,” added Mr Barasa
Meanwhile, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has declared that he will contest the Bungoma governorship on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, setting the stage for a wider political contest in the county.
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