Oparanya attends Azimio meeting days after saying he had ditched Raila
Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya on Friday attended a meeting of the top leadership of Azimio la Umoja coalition, just days after he said he had parted ways with the coalition’s leader Raila Odinga.
According to Mr Odinga’s running mate in the August General Election, Martha Karua, the leaders who attended the meeting discussed the state of affairs of the country.
In her message, Ms Karua encouraged all governors to collaborate and cooperate with the national government but with their heads held high so that those whom they lead do not think that having a diverse opinion is illegitimate.
I joined the Azimio Govenors and Deputy Governors Retreat together with @skmusyoka and chaired by Hon. @RailaOdinga.
We held deliberations with the County heads on the state of affairs facing our Nation. pic.twitter.com/qVvMMhITMj
— Martha Karua SC (@MarthaKarua) November 25, 2022
Also read: Ruto’s regime was not ready to lead, Raila hits back as war of words escalates
Photos taken during the meeting showed Mr Oparanya seated on the same table as Mr Odinga, Ms Karua and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka. This comes after earlier in the week Mr Oparanya said that henceforth he would chart his own political path ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“I am offering myself from now to lead the unity drive of our people. I am done with Raila and even if he bad-mouths me, God forbid, he knows, he will not be forgiven,” said Mr Oparanya who actively supported Odinga’s presidential bid in the last polls.
Also read: A win for France is a win for Africa, Raila joins the banter
Apparently, the two-term governor felt shortchanged by the coalition’s failure to nominate a member of the Luyha community for a slot in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
“I was pushing for Kizito Justus to go to EALA but MPs were grumbling that Kizito had no money. I was wondering that MPs must also be bribed to vote. The result of that vote is that all other big tribes but the Luhya sent an MP to EALA,” he said.
Mr Oparanya’s pronouncement on his political future was celebrated by Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale who tweeted: “Chickens are now coming home to roost!”
Also read: Winnie Odinga suggests Mariga, Wanyama head Kenyan football, Kenyans react