Oparanya: I’ve Never Endorsed Khalwale for 2027 Governor Seat
ODM’s deputy party leader, Wycliffe Oparanya, has clarified recent allegations suggesting that he supported Senator Boni Khalwale for the Kakamega gubernatorial race in 2027.
This follows a shared press briefing in January that was perceived as a display of their desire to put an end to their longstanding feud.
“When Khalwale visited me it was an open meeting where he started by recognising that I’m the senior-most leader in Kakamega and revealed that he will be vying in 2027. He never asked for any support because we are in different parties,” Oparanya said.
The ex-governor of Kakamega addressed attendees at the funeral of Mwalimu Haggai Isiongo in Marenyo-Shianda ward, Butere constituency last Saturday.
Governor Fernandes Barasa, MP Tindi Mwale, Woman MP Elsie Muhanda, and various other leaders were present at the funeral.
During a recent gathering of local leaders, Khalwale and Oparanya reconciled at the residence of the former governor, putting an end to their previous differences.
“Former Governor Oparanya and I have agreed to work together for the sake of development in this county. We will reach out to all shades of this county, including MCAs and MPs, to ensure that Kakamega succeeds. When Kakamega succeeds, the vision I shared with Oparanya in 2013 will also succeed,” Khalwale said.
In the meeting, Oparanya reminisced about encountering opposition from Senator Khalwale throughout his decade-long term as the governor of Kakamega.
“He kept me on my toes to deliver and because he did so, I believe I was able to deliver. This is what a senator is supposed to do. In politics, there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends; what matters is the interest,” Oparanya said.
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Several weeks later, Oparanya mentioned that he got a phone call informing him that the senator had distributed various gifts at his countryside residence in Kakamega.
“I was in Nairobi when I was called and told Khalwale had brought a cow to my homestead and when I called him he said the last time he visited he came empty handed. I don’t have cows so I told my PA to go and keep it at his home,” he added.
Khalwale made an unsuccessful bid to replace Oparanya in 2017, but Oparanya defeated him decisively, securing a second term in office.
In 2022, Khalwale set aside his aspirations for the gubernatorial position and opted to run for a Senate seat as per an internal arrangement within the UDA party.
At the funeral ceremony, Governor Barasa refuted allegations suggesting that he and his predecessor Oparanya were not on speaking terms.
“My party leader Raila Odinga is on his way to the AU Commission chairmanship and the only person who is most suitable to take over as the party leader of ODM is Wycliffe Oparanya. I have been walking around supporting him, surely can I drum up support for someone I’m not in good terms with?” Barasa posed.
Barasa urged elected officials in Butere constituency, particularly members of the County Assembly, to collaborate and work together seamlessly.
Oparanya: I’ve Never Endorsed Khalwale for 2027 Governor Seat
