Oparanya attracts clash over Ruto alliance talks
Dennis Lumiti
Some MPs from Kakamega county yesterday told off Governor Wycliffe Oparanya whose political dalliance with Deputy President William Ruto they described as “personal, selfish and defeatist.”
The leaders said Oparanya has never been genuine with his Luhya unity support claims.
Speaking in Kakamega town, the lawmakers claimed the governor is never a team player and always pursues his personal ambitions and interests at the expense of the common good.
Legislators, Cleophas Malalah (Kakamega Senator), Tindi Mwale (Butere), Ayub Savula (Lugari), Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Malava’s Malulu Injendi and his Matungu counterpart Peter Nabulindo accused Oparanya of being used by some “outside” forces to scuttle ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi’s presidential ambitions.
“Oparanya has been sharing the same bed with Ruto while insulting those openly supporting the Deputy President,” said Malalah adding: “Now that he knows his political relevance is fast waning, he has now come out in the open seeking for new personal interests when he retires next year.”
Political refuge
Mwale said Oparanya was confused because he had realised that his time in politics was fast coming to an end and was now employing all tricks in the book to remain in the system.
“It is clear he has been in Tanga Tanga all this while as he sought political refuge in ODM. I am told he is saying he will contest against me in Butere.
I dare him to that challenge. He can come with ODM or UDA, but he should know that I am waiting for him and will teach him a bitter lesson for the second time,” said Tindi, who won the seat on an ANC ticket in the last polls by trouncing Oparanya’s ODM candidate.
Aseka said it would have been a major political score for Oparanya if he had aligned himself with Mudavadi as he stood to gain.
The lawmaker said by seeking alliances with outsiders, many people were now more convinced that Oparanya has all along been against the Luhya unity.
“The governor is now staring in the political abyss because our people are not happy at all.
They now view him as the common enemy and stumbling block in their quest to produce a president for Kenya,” he added.
Khamala said Luhyas would not settle for anything less than the Presidency and that any alliances between Luhyas and other communities would be spearheaded by Mudavadi and his Ford-Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang’ula.
Savula laughed off the alliance reports saying it had vindicated them that Oparanya could not be trusted.
Nabulindo said his victory in Matungu over former area MP David Were, who was the ODM candidate, should have been an eye-opener for the governor.
“The by-election outcome should have dawned on Oparanya that our people have moved on and have new voices to listen to. He should join these voices or will be isolated,” he added.
Planned defections
Oparanya is facing a major backlash back in Kakamega after a supposed line-up was circulated on social media indicating that he was earmarked for a Deputy PM’s position in a purported alliance between Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
The move has jolted both the ODM and UDA leadership in the county amid reports of planned defections in the next few weeks.
“Our people say a cow that wants to get lost exhibits signs very early in the morning. That is what Oparanya is showing us this early,” said Malalah.
