In a surprising turn, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has extended an olive branch to his chief rival in the Bungoma gubernatorial race, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, calling for an end to hostility between their supporters.

This marks a dramatic shift in tone from a politician who previously dismissed Wanyonyi as a "tourist" from Nairobi and branded the local leaders endorsing him as "political brokers." The move comes as the battle to succeed Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who is in his final term, heats up, forcing candidates to define their platforms beyond political rhetoric and address the core economic needs of Bungoma residents.

A Race Beyond Personalities

While the contest features prominent personalities, the real issues for Bungoma's voters are deeply rooted in their economic well-being. The county's own development blueprint for 2025/2026 prioritizes critical areas that directly impact livelihoods. The next governor will be judged on their ability to deliver on these fronts, which include:

• Agricultural Support: Ensuring timely access to farm inputs and extension services for the county's agricultural backbone.
• Economic Empowerment: Rolling out trade loans and developing cooperatives to support small-scale traders and farmers.
• Infrastructure and Health: Completing key projects like the Sang'alo Industrial Park, modernizing markets in Kamukuywa and Chwele, and establishing a Level 5 hospital.

Barasa's recent conciliatory message, delivered while attending a funeral with Wanyonyi, emphasized that political competition should not create enmity. "Politics is temporary, but friendship is permanent. Tim and I are not enemies at all despite being in the contest for the gubernatorial race," Barasa noted, urging supporters to remain united.

The Wetang'ula Factor

Looming over the race is the influential figure of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, who is Tim Wanyonyi's elder brother. Wetang'ula, a seasoned political operator, finds himself in a delicate position. Barasa has long been a key ally of the Speaker within the Kenya Kwanza coalition. However, Wanyonyi's entry, backed by a significant number of local MPs and MCAs, has created a potential family-versus-politics dilemma for the Ford-Kenya party leader. Analysts observe that Wetang'ula's eventual endorsement could decisively tilt the scales in this high-stakes contest.

Wanyonyi, who shifted his political base from Nairobi to his home county, has rapidly consolidated support, unsettling the ground for Barasa who had earlier appeared to dominate the field. His campaign focuses on a message of strategic leadership to unlock Bungoma's economic potential. This has forced a tactical rethink from Barasa, who now appears to be adopting a more measured and unifying approach, focusing on his UDA party grassroots network and his vision to eradicate poverty in the region.

The coming months will reveal whether this newfound peace is a lasting truce or merely a strategic pause. For the people of Bungoma, the ultimate prize is not a political victory, but a leader who can translate campaign promises into tangible economic progress and a secure future.