Governor Barasa and CS Oparanya's disagreement triggers a division within the ODM party in Kakamega.
In the heart of Kakamega County, a political rift is threatening to deepen divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a party long considered one of the county's strongholds. The source of this tension is the ongoing feud between Governor Fernandes Barasa and his predecessor, Wycliffe Oparanya.
The feud stems from the ODM County chairmanship elections, where Barasa's allies accused Oparanya of sponsoring Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera to challenge the governor. This accusation was followed by claims that Oparanya had bankrolled Nabwera's campaign, with Mayoni Ward MCA Fredrick Atitwa stating that over KSh10 million was contributed to Nabwera's campaign by Oparanya.
Deputy Governor Ayub Savula accused Oparanya of using MPs to frustrate Barasa, a claim that was seconded by Everlyn Shitanda. Shitanda, a Nominated MCA, urged Barasa to emulate Oparanya's respect for other leaders, while at the same time accusing the governor of using his deputy and allies to hurl insults at Oparanya.
However, Boaz Saitama, MCA for Marama West, urged a different approach. He stated that Barasa should remember the person who mentored him politically, Boaz Saitama being that person. Saitama urged Barasa to keep off Oparanya, a sentiment echoed by Butsotso South MCA Gildon Shioso, who urged Oparanya to focus on his Cabinet role and refrain from interfering in county affairs.
The situation has not been without its repercussions. A section of MCAs allied to Oparanya have demanded that Governor Barasa respect the CS. In response, Barasa cautioned his predecessor against "micromanaging" county leadership. The governor also accused Oparanya of fronting Nabii to contest against him in the ODM primaries to control local leadership.
The political rift now threatens to deepen divisions within ODM in Kakamega, a county that has been a stronghold for the party. Atitwa also claimed that Oparanya had misled other county leaders with false promises. This feud, if not resolved, could potentially have far-reaching implications for the party and the county at large.
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