Mumias East MP Peter Salasya is on what many consider a ‘mission impossible’. Last month, he kicked off campaigns to unite the Luhya community, something that senior and seasoned politicians from the region have only given perfunctory attention over the years. Previous attempts through the Bukhungu I and Bukhungu II declarations died as soon as they were birthed.

But what started as unification drive has morphed into a presidential ambition for the first time MP. All politics being local, Salasya has toured all four western Kenya counties, Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma, and Busia, to popularise his twin drives. Last week, he was in Malindi drumming up support for his Presidential bid. His intentions, however, have drawn mixed reactions.

Not many people see him as a serious contender, even as others believe he should give it a try. Political analyst and Strategic Communication Advisor Barrack Muluka says Salasya is a young man with massive political potential, “a diamond in the rough, as the saying goes. But diamonds must get cut, and get polished. He’s not yet cut, nor polished”.

Muluka says Salasya’s penchant for drama takes away the mature outlook that a presidential candidate needs as an obligatory cardinal asset. 

“He still has a few months to reinvent and repackage himself as a serious offer for office. ” His value for now doesn’t go beyond that of the traditional court jester, who speaks truth to power, but must remain in the cadres of comedy and clowning.”

Political analyst Martin Andati says Salasya should be taken seriously by the old guards because of his appeal to the Kenyan youth.

“He speaks the language that common people speak and want to hear. He was underrated in Mumias East, and he trounced the established politicians. He has now declared to run for the Presidency, and he is pulling a spontaneous crowd; anyone underestimating him or her should be ready for a rude shock,” he says

Andati believes the next election will be determined by the youth and technology.

“Salasya falls in that category, he knows how to capitalise on the internet, and he resonates with youths, and they seem to understand his language”, Andati says, but adds that Salasya could be a hidden card by the opposition under former DP Rigathi Gachagua, DAP-K Eugene Wamalwa, and Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka to attract the youth to their side because they have a disconnect in matters to do with young people

Salasya is the only presidential candidate from the Western region who has gone beyond the region in campaigning.

Behind the deliberate buffoonery displayed by Salasya, lie two opposed attributes: a kind-hearted, down-to-earth leader and a temper easily aroused. What endears him to his people most is his people-centred leadership style and the belief that family is everything

Unlike his colleagues, who build up walls between them and their constituents, Salasya maintains a physical touch with his people. Many of his constituents believe he can make a very good president.  The big man syndrome is an alien concept he does not subscribe to.

“Physical security is good, but we have super security from above. You can only find that security from above while on your knees; there is no shortcut,” says Salasya.

Salasya comes from a very humble background in a backwater village known as Kisumu Ndogo in Mumias Sub County, Kakamega County. Salasya says he lost his father in 2007 while he was in Form Two. The onus of raising him and his siblings was therefore left to his mother, who was a housewife without financial means.

In the days that Mumias Sugar Company was the rave of the town in the whole of western Kenya, Kisumu Ndogo village developed a notoriety for harboring law breakers who used to steal sugarcane from the company to sustain their jaggery businesses that were located in the village. 

A lot of jaggerries were set up in the place, and there were frequent run-ins with Mumias Sugar Company security. It was a tough neighbourhood to grow up in, considering the relationship between jaggerries (sukari guru) and illicit brews. 

Salasya attended Shanderema Primary School in Mumias East before joining Lubinu Secondary School and later Egerton University, where he studied a Bachelor of Commerce degree. At Egerton, he was a student leader who campaigned on empty pockets but still trounced opponents. He has a knack for connecting with people and indeed is at home with those at the lower strata of society.

Part of the responsibility of educating him lay on his elder brother, who he says was working in a bank at the time. It is this humble background that perhaps instilled in him the values of family.

The first time MP exemplifies the rags-to-riches story. In just a few months of becoming famous, Salasya raised the living standards of his family members, whom he feels indebted to for his childhood and upbringing.

“I was also motivated to do something for my family after people started blaming my predecessor for doing nothing for his brothers. People will judge you by where you come from. We must empower our people by showing good examples,” says Salasya. 

From the decrepit mud houses in an open compound, Salasya has erected edifices for his mother, his sister married at Lusheya, four brothers, and himself that befit his new status.

“I have built 10 houses for widows in each of the three wards in my constituency,” he says modestly. 

He says he constructed his first mud house in April 2017, and it cost him Sh35,000. The single-door house took 18 iron sheets. 

“I didn’t even have a bed. I used to sleep on the floor until 2022. This is how humble my family background used to look,” he says

When King Peter Mumia celebrated 50 years of ascension to the Wanga kingdom throne during the Mumias Cultural festival last year, Salasya hosted former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, former Governor Mwangi wa Iria, and Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah at his new palatial home in Mumias after the event

Salasya enjoys a healthy relationship with his people, and his home compound is open to visitors, no restrictions.  

“When we elect a leader who understands the real struggles of mwananchi, he deals with the issues,” said Geff Brandon.

“The difference between Hon Peter Salasya and other MPs is that he employs his people to work on projects in his constituency, and he meets the people personally, no bodyguards shielding him from his people. He knows where he came from,” says Denice Onyango.

Salasya is not married. He often makes jokes of the matter so much that at some point, Kakamega Women Representative Elsie Muhanda threatened to form a committee to find him a good wife.

“I will marry three wives. I do not know them and I don’t even know when I will marry them,” he says jocularly. Salasya has kept everyone guessing as he plays his cards close to his chest.

But behind this likeable exterior, lies a man who is impatient with those who stand in his way. When provoked, he has a volatile temper. ” I have goals, and they must be delivered on time without any external hindrance,” he says

On several occasions, Salasya has found himself on the wrong side of the law and has been arrested and charged with violence and causing bodily harm. Once, Salasya flew off the handle and assaulted Peter Walunya, MCA of Malaha-Isongo Ward, at a funeral in Mumias. The MCA had defied Salasya’s order to sit down after handing him the microphone at the function. 

At another function in Mumias attended by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, chaos ensued after an infuriated Salasya took off the dais in a flying tackle to hit someone in the audience who had heckled him. Salasya also found himself in trouble after Kakamega businessman Robert Lutta sued him for refusing to repay a Sh500,000 loan. 

After Kakamega Resident Magistrate Gladys Kiama ruled in favour of Lutta, Salasya took to X, formerly Twitter, and made statements the magistrate did not take kindly. He is also accused of assaulting Luta’s lawyer, Edwin Wafula, on November 2, 2023. The lawyer reported the incident at the Kakamega Police Station under OB No 02/11/2023. 

In 2017, unknown and penniless, Salasya vied for the  Mumias East MP seat and garnered only 200 votes. Rather than dissuade him, the poor showing encouraged him, and he tried again in 2022 and won. He was penniless and could not even print campaign posters. 

Boulders along roads and strategic places in Mumias were his posters, and to date, some still proclaim the message “vote Salasya for MP”. He won the contest with 12,140 votes against his closest competitor, David Wamatsi of ANC, who garnered 9,043 votes.

As an MP, Salasya has demonstrated that he is up to the task. In a research poll published by Infotrak in November 2023, he was ranked among the top-performing MPs, coming third after Ndindi Nyoro of Kiharu, who scored 70 per cent, and Naisula Lesuuda of Samburu, who scored 66 per cent. Salasya scored 64 per cent.