BY GODFREY WAMALWA
With the 2027 General Election drawing closer, Trans Nzoia County is witnessing a major political realignment as leaders reposition themselves in what is shaping up to be one of the country’s most fiercely contested gubernatorial races. At the centre of the unfolding political drama is the question of whether Kiminini MP Kakai Bisau and former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa made the right decision by defecting to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in pursuit of the county’s top seat.
The two politicians, once bitter rivals in the race for the governorship, have now found themselves on the same political platform after abandoning their respective parties. Bisau parted ways with DAP-K, while Dr. Wamalwa left Ford Kenya, choosing to align themselves with President William Ruto’s ruling party ahead of the 2027 polls.
Their move has significantly reshaped Trans Nzoia’s political landscape, with analysts describing it as a high-stakes gamble that could either propel them to the governorship or expose them to a bruising nomination battle within UDA.
Bisau, who is serving his first term in Parliament, is seeking to become governor after unsuccessful bids in 2013 and 2017. Dr. Wamalwa is also seeking political redemption after losing the 2022 gubernatorial election to incumbent Governor George Natembeya.
Since joining UDA, both leaders have become visible faces in the party’s grassroots mobilisation, participating in membership drives, internal elections and President Ruto’s development tours across the county as they seek to consolidate support ahead of party nominations.
However, their entry into UDA has sparked debate within Kenya Kwanza ranks. Questions remain over whether long-serving party members will embrace the two newcomers or whether the nominations will pit them against influential UDA loyalists, making the battle for the party ticket even more competitive.
The defections have also altered political equations involving National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, whose parties have traditionally enjoyed significant influence in Trans Nzoia. Political observers believe the two leaders will be keen to maintain their foothold in the county despite the departure of two high-profile allies.
Governor Natembeya is widely expected to seek a second term, while former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha is also viewed as a key Kenya Kwanza figure whose political future could influence the coalition’s strategy in the county.
As political temperatures continue to rise, Trans Nzoia is emerging as one of Kenya’s most closely watched battlegrounds ahead of 2027. Whether the UDA gamble pays off for Bisau and Dr. Wamalwa—or becomes a costly political miscalculation—will largely depend on their ability to win the confidence of party members during nominations and ultimately convince voters they offer the best alternative to Governor Natembeya.
