By J, KNA
Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda has declared her intention to challenge Governor Fernandes Barasa in the 2027 gubernatorial contest.
This sets the stage for a high-stakes political battle in one of the country’s most populous counties.
Muhanda’s candidacy has received a major boost after former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya endorsed her recently.
Oparanya, a two-term governor and ODM deputy party leader, described Muhanda as “a tested leader with the vision and experience to take Kakamega to the next level.”
Muhanda said she has what it takes to unite Kakamega and deliver development across all sectors. I urge our people to rally behind me,” she said during a weekend event in Matungu sub county.
Muhanda, a close ally of ODM leader Raila Odinga, said her administration would prioritize reviving stalled county projects, improving healthcare, and creating jobs for the youth.
She pledged to run an inclusive government that focuses on service delivery rather than political rivalry.
The contest is expected to be one of the most heated in Western Kenya politics, with Governor Barasa elected on a ODM ticket—seeking re-election, while Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale is also widely expected to join the race.
Analysts say the endorsement by Oparanya could shift the political arithmetic, as the former governor still commands considerable influence in the region.
However, Barasa’s incumbency and Khalwale’s grassroots mobilization skills mean the race will remain unpredictable.
With three heavyweights eyeing the top county seat, Kakamega appears headed for a bruising political duel that could reshape Western Kenya’s power dynamics ahead of the 2027 General Election.