Ambitious MP Salasya to vie for Kakamega governor's seat 2027

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has declared he will vie for the Kakamega county gubernatorial seat in the next general election. 

The legislator declared his ambition on his official X page (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. 

"It's now official I will be vying for Governor," the MP said.

Salasya is currently serving his first term as MP. He was elected on the DAP-K party ticket under the Azimio coalition.

The MP fell out with Barasa after which he declared interest in the Governor's seat, ostensibly to teach him a lesson.

An attempt by ODM leader Raila Odinga to reconcile the MP and Barasa fell flat after the MP said he would not make peace with his county boss.

Salasya has been at the centre of numerous controversies since his election.

His soft spot for the vulnerable and the poor in Mumias has, however, earned him admiration and applause from Kenyans.

His recent controversy rendered him the talk of the town after a video emerged of him allegedly slapping an MCA from the Western region during a public gathering. 

On January 17, Salasya was charged in Mumias court for assaulting the MCA. 

Salasya appeared before Mumias Senior Resident Magistrate Marcella Onyango and took a plea for assault and grievous bodily harm charges. He denied the charges and was released on bond

If his declaration becomes a reality, Salasy will face off with Senator Boni Khalwale who has declared he will go for the governor seat in 2027.

Khalwale who unsuccessfully ran for the seat in 2017 is said to have teamed up with the former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya in a bid to unseat Barasa.

This followed a meeting he held with Oparanya last week during which he said he revealed to him a plan to be the Governor.

Oparanya is said to be eyeing the senatorial seat but he has not made the declaration yet.

Barasa who is serving his first term is expected to defend his seat.