Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has announced his intention to leave President William Ruto’s UDA party and join Ford Kenya, with an eye on the Bungoma gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election.
Barasa, a youthful and ambitious legislator, believes that switching parties will be crucial to his success in the upcoming polls.
According to the MP, his decision stems from a careful analysis of the Bungoma political landscape.
He said that he recognizes the strong presence and strategic positioning of Ford Kenya, led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
Notably, Ford Kenya holds a majority of the county’s elected Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), and Barasa anticipates this trend to continue in 2027.
“I have sat down and analyzed the political landscape,” Barasa stated.
“The majority of MCAs in Bungoma County were elected to the Ford Kenya party, a trend that may recur in 2027. And I have decided that I will join Ford Kenya,” he said.
Barasa acknowledges the uphill battle he would face vying for the governorship under UDA, given the dominance of Ford Kenya in the region.
Both UDA and Ford Kenya belong to the Kenya Kwanza coalition, alongside Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC).
Bungoma has historically been considered a Ford Kenya stronghold,
