Forget my help in future elections, Oparanya tells ODM leader Raila

Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya yesterday said he will not support the Orange party boss Raila Odinga in future.

 Speaking for the first time since the August 9 General-Election, Oparanya (pictured) said he will henceforth deploy his energies to unite the Luyha community.

 “I am offering myself from now to lead the unity drive of our people. I am done with Raila and even if he bad-mouthes me, God forbid, he knows, he will not be forgiven,” Oparanya said.

 The ODM deputy party leader  noted that the Luhya community had supported Raila in five successive elections in vain, adding it was time for them to chart a different political destiny to be able to be in government after 2027.  Oparanya led the Azimio Western Kenya vote hunt during the August polls and won key seats in Kakamega, Vihiga and Busia counties.

He has since accused the Opposition coalition leadership of betraying the trust of the Luhya community, adding that their support and endorsement of Raila has not counted in the sharing of election spoils.

 He cited minority slots in both the National Assembly, Senate as well as the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) as areas where the community’s numerical strength counted less.

 The former Kakamega county boss made the remarks when he addressed mourners at Ichinga village, Mumias East sub-county during the funeral of Nominated MCA Phaustine Welimo.   Last week, Raila and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka held Parliamentary Group Meeting with coalition MPs in bid to quell disquiet arising from sharing of election spoils.  Jubilee and Wiper MPs accused ODM of dominating key parliamentary leadership allocated to the minority side.

 Big tribes

Oparanya took exception with the manner nominations to EALA were conducted, and faulted MPs for allegedly sacrificing merit for bribes.   “I was pushing for Kiziro Justus (former MP Shinyalu) to go to EA LA but MPs were grumbling that Kizito had no money. I was wondering that MPs must also be bribed to vote,” he charged.

 He went on:  “The result of that vote is that all other big tribes but the Luhya sent an MP to EALA” Kenya has nine seats in EALA shared in the ratio of 5:4 between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio.

 Raila and Kalonzo’s children, Winnie and Kennedy Musyoka among those elected to EALA.   But Oparanya now argues that of the country’s eight regions, only Western missed out despite overwhelming support for Raila in the last poll.