Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has opened up on his fallout with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, claiming he played a key role in mobilising votes for the governor in the 2022 election before their relationship soured after Barasa took office.
Sifuna made the remarks on Saturday, August 8, 2026, during the Linda Mwananchi mobilisation tour in Kakamega County, where he revisited his role in Barasa’s campaign and accused the governor of later treating him as a political enemy.
The Nairobi senator recalled that he had been sent to Kakamega by ODM leader Raila Odinga to campaign for Barasa during the 2022 gubernatorial contest.
He said he worked alongside former Kakamega Governor Ayinda Savula as they traversed the county seeking support for Barasa, only for their relationship to change after Barasa secured the governor’s seat.
“Nilikuja hapa, tukatembea na Mheshimiwa Savula, anajua, tukitafutia Fernandes Barasa kura hapa. Tapi, yule jamaa alinigeuka style ingine sijawahi kuona. Baada ya yeye kuingia kwa ofisi, amefanya Sifuna ni kama adui yake,” Sifuna said.
Sifuna said the governor later subjected him to what he described as mistreatment, despite having previously supported his bid for the Kakamega governorship.
“Ameninyanyasa. Yeye ndio baadhi ya wale ambao walikuwa wanapiga makofi wakati mimi nakukuzwa ndani ya chama cha ODM,” he said.
His remarks came as he continued his efforts to strengthen his political presence in Western Kenya through the Linda Mwananchi tour, which has taken him to different parts of Kakamega County.
The senator has been using the tour to engage residents and mobilise grassroots support as political activity builds ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna sends warning to Barasa
Sifuna also directed a pointed political message at Barasa, warning that the governor would not be spared as opposition leaders seek to mount a campaign against President William Ruto in the next election.
He told Barasa that the same political push aimed at making Ruto serve only one term would also affect the Kakamega governor.
“Sasa Barasa nataka nikuambie leo, vile tunapatia William Ruto ‘one-term’, hata Barasa akanyage kubwa kubwa. Mnanielewa?” he said.
The remarks add a new dimension to the political contest in Kakamega, where leaders are positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections and seeking to consolidate support across Western Kenya.
Sifuna’s tour was also accompanied by an endorsement from Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who declared his support for the Nairobi senator’s presidential ambitions.
Khalwale said he would work to raise Sifuna’s national political profile, drawing comparisons with the role played by prominent Western Kenya leaders such as Martin Shikuku, Michael Kijana Wamalwa and Masinde Muliro.
“Hata kama wameenda, kazi ya kukuinua wewe nitaifanya, kwa sababu mimi ndiye kiboko ya Oparanya hapa Kakamega,” Khalwale said.
The endorsement puts Khalwale firmly behind Sifuna as the Nairobi senator seeks to expand his political influence beyond the capital and build support for his 2027 ambitions.
It also brings Sifuna’s growing political contest with established Western Kenya figures, including former Kakamega governor and Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, into sharper focus as the region prepares for the next General Election.