By Anderson Ojwang

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga, is fast becoming a master of political contradictions and inconsistency, causing confusion within and without his political block.

Oburu has continued to baffle the ODM fraternity with his pronouncements, which have caused anxiety, confusion and despair in the party.

Former Alego MP Sammy Weya said Dr Oburu has lost touch with current political reality and should pass over the baton.

“I must candidly say that I believe Hon. Oburu Odinga has lost touch with the current political reality and the aspirations of the younger generation. His own niece, Winnie Odinga, correctly observed that ODM now requires energetic, visionary, and youthful leadership capable of connecting with the future of Kenya and the expectations of modern voters,” he said.

Presidential candidate to senatorial aspirant

During the recent ODM Nyanza aspirants’ meeting in Kisumu, Dr Oburu declared that he will defend his Siaya senatorial seat.

According to the ODM constitution, the party leader is the automatic presidential candidate, and with Oburu’s declaration of senatorial ambition, the party’s presidential ambition is thrown to the winds.

In January this year, Dr Oburu declared his intention to vie for the presidency in the 2027 general election, saying he will be the party’s flagbearer should ODM decide to field a candidate.

“2026 is a crucial year for our party because things must be worked out before 2027. Before the end of 2026, we shall have clearly known and made all necessary arrangements going into 2027,” he stated.

Oburu said then that the ODM constitution dictates that the party leader is the suitable candidate for the presidency, meaning he would be the flag bearer should the party decide to seek the top office.

“If we’re going it alone, I want to make it clear that our Constitution has the presidential candidate for our party, and it is the party leader. I am the presidential candidate for ODM if the party decides to go it alone. Anybody who is preparing themselves to go for the presidency in ODM, I think, is misplaced. If they want to go for the presidency, they should look for another party,” he said.

Yesterday, during a TV interview, Dr Oburu said he declared his intention to defend his senatorial seat because that is what was readily available.

Weya said Dr Oburu was causing confusion in the party with his inconsistency.

“A few weeks ago, the country heard him express presidential ambitions. Today he says he will defend the Senate seat. Such inconsistency sows confusion among the people and raises legitimate questions about the direction of leadership within ODM,” he said.

Deputy President slot

Dr Oburu has been flip-flopping over the ODM demand for the post of Deputy President in a pre-election arrangement with UDA.

Oburu, the lead negotiator, seems to be changing the goalpost from the initial demand for the Deputy President slot to now undisclosed positions.

Last year, Oburu declared that ODM will not accept any position lower than that of the Deputy President in any pre-election coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.

During last year’s interview with NTV, Oburu maintained that the party will only negotiate for top positions from a position of strength, and not desperation.

“If we have to go for a lower position, it must not be lower than number two (deputy president) in any formation. That is my take. We should not take less than that,” he said.

Oginga said ODM’s priority is to rebuild and unite its grassroots base to retain influence in national politics.

“I want my people of ODM to strengthen ODM as a party. If we are going to start talking about the position we will occupy there, we will get nothing. Nobody will respect you or negotiate with you if you are a weak party. Our emphasis is on strengthening ODM so that we can negotiate for the top position in the land.”

Recently in Kisumu, Oburu said before President Ruto and his deputy, Prof Abraham Kithure Kindiki, that ODM was not eyeing the Deputy President slot.

Oburu said: “Deputy President, do not think we want your seat and that we want to chase you away. No. Please, you are our friend, but as we negotiate, we are going to negotiate what our people deserve and what our party deserves. ODM is not a Luo party; it is a national party. We will negotiate fairly. We are not going to take anybody’s share. Everybody will get their fair share.”

Oburu later changed tack, saying that he was misquoted and that the party was interested in the Deputy President seat.

The Sifuna nightmare

After his appointment, Dr Oburu attempted to scuttle earlier attempts to expel Sifuna from the party, saying he espoused ODM ideology.

Sifuna then emerged victorious in a battle that had seen his critics, led by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, petition the party organs to take disciplinary action against him over his stand on the broad-based alliance.

In a meeting between Dr Oburu and the ODM Secretary General at ODM headquarters, the party leader then described Sifuna as espousing the party’s democratic ideals.

“I met with my friend, Senator Edwin Sifuna, the Secretary General of the ODM Party, this morning. He remains a sober and principled voice, embodying the democratic ideals we believe in as a party,” he wrote on his X handle.

Oburu said the party was united and encouraged everyone to speak their mind, as that was the foundation on which the party was formed.

“We are one. We are united as the ODM Party. As a leader, I believe we must encourage everyone to speak their mind. Differences of opinion do not mean division. Great parties—like ODM—grow through robust debate and unique challenges. That is where the progress and continuity of our party truly lie: in the hands of our young people,” he wrote then.

Recently, Oburu’s team allegedly sacked Sifuna and replaced him with Catherine Omanyo, but the move was halted by the tribunal court.

Dr Oburu, in a statement, said ODM was a members’ club and those in it must abide by the rules of membership.

“The minority will have their say, but the majority will have their way. So those with dissenting voices must respect the wishes of the majority. Democracy must be guided,” he said.

Weya said he believes the time has come for generational transition, political fairness, and issue-based leadership to take centre stage in ODM.

For Oburu, it is time to avoid contradictions and inconsistency to steer the party into the future.

By Anderson Ojwang

The old scar of the covenant of “yangu kumi na yake kumi” has returned to haunt the proponents, the immediate former president Uhuru Kenyatta and his successor William Ruto.

The bromance witnessed after the 2013 general elections has currently been replaced by bare knuckles as Uhuru and Ruto go for another gauntlet.

Ruto, after successfully dismantling Uhuru in the 2022 general election where he defeated his preferred candidate, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, to secure his first term, now will have to contend with the rematch.

Uhuru is out to stop Ruto from actualising his “yake kumi” and this week threw the first jab when he asked Mt Kenya and Kenyans about the gains of the hustler and dynasty narrative that became the key campaign platforms.

“What has the narrative of hustlers and dynasties brought to you? What will it bring to you? Now wait to be told another politics of the tribe. What will it bring to you apart from problems? Do not agree and accept, but remain focused and look ahead for change that will improve your well-being,” he said.

But Ruto’s allies did not take it lying down and accused Uhuru of harbouring bitterness and jealousy towards President Ruto.

UDA National Chairperson Cecily Mbarire and Secretary General Hassan Omar wrote: “President Uhuru, we have heard you loud and clear. First, temper your intense bitterness, fierce jealousy, endless envy, and toxic obsession with William Ruto.”

They said it was time Uhuru accepted that Ruto won the 2022 presidential elections against his schemes and machinations.

“For once, be a democrat. William Ruto is now the President of Kenya. That is a reality you must live with and accept,” they wrote.

President Ruto ran on the narrative of a hustler nation against the Raila-Uhuru team, which they described as political dynasties that must be sent home and away from the country’s leadership.

In this context, hustlers refer to those – especially young people – who struggle to make ends meet in an economy that is said to be no longer working for them.

The word dynasties, on the other hand, is a moniker to describe wealthy families that are seen to have dominated politics – and the economy – since independence from the UK in the 1960s.

Economic turbulence

Uhuru told Ruto to tackle the harsh economic times and engage Kenyans to find a solution, but the president’s allies accused the former president of handing over a collapsed economy.

Uhuru said the harsh economic times were the actual problem facing Kenyans and should be addressed.

“We know where the problem lies. Deal with the issue, and it is simple. People are rioting because of harsh economic times in the country. Look at the trouble affecting the country and stop getting into tribal politics.”

But the UDA officials hit back, saying: “In many respects, you handed over one of the most broken governments in Kenya’s modern history. You handed over a collapsing economy, a suffocating public debt burden, broken institutions, demoralised sectors, and a country on the brink.”

They claimed Uhuru confessed during the Azimio parliamentary group meeting that he had expected Kenya’s economy to collapse within three months of President Ruto’s takeover.

“You were so convinced that the country would crash under the weight of the failures and economic sabotage your administration had engineered. Ruto stabilised the economy and prevented the default disaster your administration had engineered,” they said.

Uhuru challenged the political class to practise politics of ideology and issue-based engagement.

“We cannot allow ourselves to be divided because we are all Kenyans. Let us talk about what we will do for Kenyans and how we will solve the current problems we have in Kenya. This is our ideology and political game plan to leadership,” he said.

Transition

Uhuru said he handed over power peacefully to his successor despite arrogance and mistreatment from the incoming regime during the transition.

But Ruto’s allies dismissed his claim, saying: “You claim to have handed over power peacefully to Ruto. Of course you did. You had no option. That is the beauty and finality of our constitutional democracy.”

Politics of ideology and service

Uhuru told Ruto and his allies to engage in politics of ideology and service to the country and to stop introducing the narrative of tribe in the 2027 elections.

Uhuru accused those in the government of plotting to use the narrative of tribe to win votes and warned that they were setting a wrong precedent.

“How many tribes live in Kiambu? You have accommodated them, and they live here. Some you have even elected as MCAs because of their leadership qualities and not tribe. Let us support our neighbours regardless of their tribe because when they develop, you also grow,” he said.

Uhuru warned that the politics of tribalism could easily land Kenya back in the dark days of the 2007 general elections.

“As a nation, it is important to be honest and truthful because if we don’t talk the truth, we will regress to old mistakes we made in this country. It is not the first time to witness leaders speak on things that can bring chaos in the country. The last time we saw was in 2007, and what happened? Don’t think it started there with the elections. No, it started with the kind of statements by the political class, and currently we are witnessing the same today,” he said.

Uhuru warned against politics of tribe and division, saying it will undermine unity in the country.

“We have started to see others playing politics of division, and they speak those things in front of those leading the nation. They are inciting and want to bring chaos, and nobody in the leadership is standing out to stop and warn them against such statements,” he said.

Uhuru appealed to the country’s leadership and security officers to clamp down on such statements aimed at creating chaos in the country.

But Ruto’s allies reacted, saying the president has corrected Uhuru’s mistakes in stabilising the economy across the sectors of agriculture, affordable housing, road infrastructure, expansion of JKIA airport, among others.

“Kenyans should know that when the country needed collective effort and national resolve, Ruto reached out to you. He sought cooperation for the sake of national stability and continuity. You refused. Instead, you retreated into bitterness and political vengeance,” they said.

They claimed Uhuru has been undermining Ruto by mobilising political hostility, fuelling public anger, and quietly hoping the country fails so that his prediction of collapse can appear correct.

Uhuru challenged the youths to vie for leadership positions to help change the destiny of the country.

“Let the youths take over the leadership. Don’t be a leader of cheap popularity, as it will take you nowhere. Be a leader who can uplift your brothers and sisters and make a difference in someone’s life,” he said.

Will “yangu kumi” fight to deny “yake kumi” the final term and have his allies in the driving seat?

By Anderson Ojwang

At the burial of the late Ol Kalou MP David Njunguna Kiaraho, it was billed as a possible explosive first public encounter of allies turned bitter rivals, President William Ruto and his now impeached deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua.

The meeting came shortly after President Ruto’s campaign team, led by Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki, humbled Gachagua’s united opposition candidate Newton Kariuki Ndwiga of DP, who lost to UDA’s Leo Wa Muthende in the Mbeere North by-election.

And yesterday, an opinion poll released by Mizani Africa showed that DCP candidate Sammy Ngotho (DCP) has opened a commanding lead with 61.4 per cent, far ahead of Samuel Muchina (UDA) at 18.0 per cent, while Martin Wambugu “Tinga Tinga” (PLP) follows distantly at 6.3 per cent.

The Ol Kalou burial encounter was of significant importance to the two leaders, with each weighing the other’s strength while Gachagua employed the services of Nyandarua Senator John Methu to test Ruto’s political waters.

Interestingly, Gachagua on Monday appointed Methu as the Secretary General designate of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) to replace Hezron Obaga.

Gachagua said the party’s National Executive Council had assigned Methu his first major responsibility: leading DCP’s campaign efforts in the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16.

“The National Executive Council has given Senator John Methu, the Secretary General designate, his first assignment: that he, together with other leaders, take charge of the by-elections in Ol Kalou and deliver a decisive victory to the DCP party,” he said.

The by-election comes hot on the heels of Gachagua’s DCP invasion of Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) backyard in Emurua Dikirr, where DCP challenged UDA dominance.

In the parliamentary by-election, Mr David Kipsang Keter of the UDA Party won after getting 18,266 votes against Vincent Kibet Rotich of the DCP Party, who got 10,760 votes. From the data, DCP managed a strong performance with 36.4 per cent of the votes cast against UDA’s 63.6 per cent.

Gachagua said his party, which was celebrating one year, stormed Mr William Ruto’s perceived stronghold in style, gave him a run for his money, and outperformed contemporaries.

Gachagua wrote: “Congratulations to Rotich for the splendid performance that has shaken south Rift politics, which for far too long – in fact for over 60 years – has been left behind in independent Kenya. A score of 10,760 votes is no mean feat.”

“To the great people of Emurua Dikirr, you are the true heroes of our nation, Kenya, for showing independence of mind, rationality, exercising your democratic right, and refusing to be intimidated. I will, on my return from my overseas trip to the United Kingdom, personally visit you and thank those who campaigned for and supported Hon. Vincent Rotich.”

The opinion poll

With the July 16, 2026, by-election fast approaching, the battle to replace the late Hon. Kiaraho is increasingly shaping into a referendum on political direction in Ol Kalou.

The survey showed Ngotho of DCP opening a commanding lead with 61.4 per cent, far ahead of Samuel Muchina (UDA) at 18.0 per cent, while Martin Wambugu “Tinga Tinga” (PLP) follows distantly at 6.3 per cent.

The party landscape mirrors the same trend. DCP leads party support with 51.8 per cent, comfortably ahead of UDA’s 19.1 per cent, while the once-dominant Jubilee Party (6.5 per cent) appears to have lost significant ground in a constituency it previously controlled through the late Hon. Kiaraho.

Insights

Although the late Hon. Kiaraho was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket, his close working relationship with President Ruto and the UDA administration had initially created expectations that UDA could inherit the constituency’s support base after his passing.

However, the current numbers suggest that the succession battle has moved beyond legacy politics and entered a new phase driven by fresh political realignments and protest energy.

At the moment, DCP appears to have successfully consolidated both party momentum and candidate preference, giving Sammy Ngotho a significant structural advantage heading into the by-election.

For UDA, the challenge is no longer just mobilisation, but overcoming a widening perception gap despite proximity to government power. Meanwhile, Jubilee’s collapse to single digits signals a major erosion of its historical foothold in the constituency, raising serious questions about whether the party can still compete meaningfully in the Mt Kenya political battlefield.

Unless there is a major late-stage shift, consolidation, or turnout surprise, the current trajectory positions DCP as the clear frontrunner heading into July 16, 2026.

UDA

UDA wrote on its social media platforms: “UDA candidate for Ol Kalou Constituency by-election, Samuel Muchina Nyagah, was cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The journey to Bunge begins. We will seek every vote to continue with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation (BETA) agenda for the benefit of the people of Ol Kalou. Muchina was escorted by a mammoth crowd of his supporters to PCEA Ol Kalou to submit his nomination papers. The immediate former CDF Manager, Samuel Muchina Nyaga, is credited with facilitating the disbursement of bursaries to thousands of students and overseeing the implementation of several community projects under the late MP, David Kiaraho.”

Muchina pledged to introduce free Day Secondary School education for every child in Ol Kalou Constituency.

DCP take

DCP wrote: “Ngotho anachezea home-ground. Sammy Waweru Ngotho cleared by IEBC to vie for the Ol Kalou Parliamentary by-election on Thursday, July 16, 2026.”

Ol Kalou will be a determiner of how Mt Kenya is likely to vote in the 2027 general election and whether President Ruto will still have a voice in the region.

For Kindiki, he will be going all out for a double against Gachagua, who wants to prove to the public that he is the de facto leader of Mt Kenya.

For Gachagua and Ruto, who will blink first in the contest and run away with the bragging rights?

Will Gachagua land the first MP for DCP, or will he fall flat as was the case in Mbeere North?

The clock is ticking, and it is only a matter of time before the electorate has its say.

By Anderson Ojwang

At the burial of the late Ol Kalou MP David Njunguna Kiaraho, it was billed as a possible explosive first public encounter of allies turned bitter rivals, President William Ruto and his now impeached deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua.

The meeting came shortly after President Ruto’s campaign team, led by Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki, humbled Gachagua’s united opposition candidate Newton Kariuki Ndwiga of DP, who lost to UDA’s Leo Wa Muthende in the Mbeere North by-election.

And yesterday, an opinion poll released by Mizani Africa showed that DCP candidate Sammy Ngotho (DCP) has opened a commanding lead with 61.4 percent, far ahead of Samuel Muchina (UDA) at 18.0 percent, while Martin Wambugu “Tinga Tinga” (PLP) follows distantly at 6.3 percent.

The Ol Kalou burial encounter was of significant importance to the two leaders, with each weighing the other’s strength while Gachagua employed the services of Nyandarua Senator John Methu to test Ruto’s political waters.

Interestingly, Gachagua on Monday appointed Methu as the Secretary General designate of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) to replace Hezron Obaga.

Gachagua said the party’s National Executive Council had assigned Methu his first major responsibility: leading DCP’s campaign efforts in the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16.

“The National Executive Council has given Senator John Methu, the Secretary General designate, his first assignment: that he, together with other leaders, take charge of the by-elections in Ol Kalou and deliver a decisive victory to the DCP party,” he said.

The by-election comes hot on the heels of Gachagua’s DCP invasion of Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) backyard in Emurua Dikirr, where DCP challenged UDA dominance.

In the parliamentary by-election, Mr David Kipsang Keter of the UDA Party won after getting 18,266 votes against Vincent Kibet Rotich of the DCP Party, who got 10,760 votes. From the data, DCP managed a strong performance with 36.4 percent of the votes cast against UDA’s 63.6 percent.

Gachagua said his party, which was celebrating one year, stormed Mr William Ruto’s perceived stronghold in style, gave him a run for his money, and outperformed contemporaries.

Gachagua wrote: “Congratulations to Rotich for the splendid performance that has shaken south Rift politics, which for far too long – in fact for over 60 years – has been left behind in independent Kenya. A score of 10,760 votes is no mean feat.”

“To the great people of Emurua Dikirr, you are the true heroes of our nation, Kenya, for showing independence of mind, rationality, exercising your democratic right, and refusing to be intimidated. I will, on my return from my overseas trip to the United Kingdom, personally visit you and thank those who campaigned for and supported Hon. Vincent Rotich.”

The opinion poll

With the July 16, 2026, by-election fast approaching, the battle to replace the late Hon. Kiaraho is increasingly shaping into a referendum on political direction in Ol Kalou.

The survey showed Ngotho of DCP opening a commanding lead with 61.4 percent, far ahead of Samuel Muchina (UDA) at 18.0 percent, while Martin Wambugu “Tinga Tinga” (PLP) follows distantly at 6.3 percent.

The party landscape mirrors the same trend. DCP leads party support with 51.8 percent, comfortably ahead of UDA’s 19.1 percent, while the once-dominant Jubilee Party (6.5 percent) appears to have lost significant ground in a constituency it previously controlled through the late Hon. Kiaraho.

Insights

Although the late Hon. Kiaraho was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket, his close working relationship with President Ruto and the UDA administration had initially created expectations that UDA could inherit the constituency’s support base after his passing.

However, the current numbers suggest that the succession battle has moved beyond legacy politics and entered a new phase driven by fresh political realignments and protest energy.

At the moment, DCP appears to have successfully consolidated both party momentum and candidate preference, giving Sammy Ngotho a significant structural advantage heading into the by-election.

For UDA, the challenge is no longer just mobilization, but overcoming a widening perception gap despite proximity to government power. Meanwhile, Jubilee’s collapse to single digits signals a major erosion of its historical foothold in the constituency, raising serious questions about whether the party can still compete meaningfully in the Mt Kenya political battlefield.

Unless there is a major late-stage shift, consolidation, or turnout surprise, the current trajectory positions DCP as the clear frontrunner heading into July 16, 2026.

UDA

UDA wrote on its social media platforms: “UDA candidate for Ol Kalou Constituency by-election, Samuel Muchina Nyagah, was cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The journey to Bunge begins. We will seek every vote to continue with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation (BETA) agenda for the benefit of the people of Ol Kalou. Muchina was escorted by a mammoth crowd of his supporters to PCEA Ol Kalou to submit his nomination papers. The immediate former CDF Manager, Samuel Muchina Nyaga, is credited with facilitating the disbursement of bursaries to thousands of students and overseeing the implementation of several community projects under the late MP, David Kiaraho.”

Muchina pledged to introduce free Day Secondary School education for every child in Ol Kalou Constituency.

DCP take

DCP wrote: “Ngotho anachezea home-ground. Sammy Waweru Ngotho cleared by IEBC to vie for the Ol Kalou Parliamentary by-election on Thursday, July 16, 2026.”

Ol Kalou will be a determiner of how Mt Kenya is likely to vote in the 2027 general election and whether President Ruto will still have a voice in the region.

For Kindiki, he will be going all out for a double against Gachagua, who wants to prove to the public that he is the de facto leader of Mt Kenya.

For Gachagua and Ruto, who will blink first in the contest and run away with the bragging rights?

Will Gachagua land the first MP for DCP, or will he fall flat as was the case in Mbeere North?

The clock is ticking, and it is only a matter of time before the electorate has its say.

By Anderson Ojwang’

A master of double speak. The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs, Wycliff Oparanya, is increasingly blowing both hot and cold, giving mixed signals and leaving the public wondering and asking: what is he up to?

Oparanya has been sending mixed signals within and without the government and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, which has not only baffled but left tongues wagging over what he could probably be up to, and whether he is preparing for a presidential stab in the 2027 general elections.

Recently, Oparanya shocked the public with his revelation that selling President William Ruto’s second term was becoming difficult after ODM sacked its Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.

President Ruto expects Oparanya to lead his campaign in Western Kenya and other parts of the country, and such a statement undermines the campaigns and the re-election game plan.

“Kazi yetu ya kutafutia rais kura imekuwa ngumu. Ukienda mahali unaulizwa mbona Sifuna alifukuzwa (Our work to seek votes for the president is becoming very difficult. They are asking why did you chase away our son). Ukienda kwa bunge wanafukuza wengine (In parliament now they want to chase away others). Na hii ni kipindi cha lala salama (This is the dying minute). Hiyo itasaidia sisi? (How will that help?)” he said.

Mudavadi reacts

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, without naming names, asked those in the government to protect President William Ruto and to stop creating doubt in the electorate.

“If you are in government, protect that government in your remarks, actions and in your speech. You cannot be flying the flag after the president appointed you and when you go to a place you don’t even seem to know where you are going,” he said.

Mudavadi said it was wrong for a leader in President Ruto’s government to show doubt and confusion to the electorate.

Mudavadi said it was wrong for one to cause confusion over President Ruto’s re-election plan and strategy.

“Let us be firm and clear. A leader does not show doubt. A leader doesn’t show confusion. A leader speaks and shows direction. As political leaders, let us not shy away from standing to defend President William Ruto and his government. We speak because we are part of it,” he said.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary said it was incumbent upon them to defend President Ruto and the government.

“If we don’t defend it, the opposition will not defend it for you. It is up to us to defend it and to show what the government is doing and the plan it has,” he said.

Hot and cold

Oparanya has been advocating for Luhya unity and even threatened to resign from the ODM party to front a common community political objective.

“Tunataka sisi wote tuwe pamoja wakati huu (We all want to be united at this moment). Kama mtu amekukosea, sema sorry (If someone has wronged you, ask for forgiveness). Ikifika 2027, tukaye chini tushiriane na tulize (In 2027, we can sit down and negotiate),” he said.

Oparanya has called on the Luhya political class to have one political vehicle to drive their agenda.

“Jirongo tried to unite the Luhya community. Whenever I met him, he would talk to me about Luhya unity. One day I asked him if I was the problem and impediment to the unity. Because I am in ODM, if I am the obstacle, I am ready to leave the party as the deputy party leader at that time to unite the community and form a single political party. We have three Luhyas who are party leaders of political parties: Eugene Wamalwa, Moses Wetang’ula, and Musalia, but he dissolved his party. These are the party leaders. Let me say this: I am ready to leave ODM to unite the Luhya community. I know if we come together, we are the sleeping giant in this country,” he said.

Luo to repay the support

Oparanya declared that the Luhya community was also looking for power and it was time the Luo community supported them.

“We have supported the late Raila Odinga with one heart. That support should not be taken for granted. Now it is our time. For all these years, Raila contested for the presidency, and we have been with him. Now they must look into it: what do those people from Western in ODM get? If they are not looking at the interests of Western, we tell them bye. We will have a meeting. Raila left us, and they have forgotten that we were close to Raila. We were leaders in that party. They are busy with their programs of power, and they do not know that even we from Western want power,” he said.

Could Oparanya be preparing his exit strategy and finally have a stab at the presidency in the 2027 general elections, or is he repositioning himself for the altar of power negotiation?

And will President Ruto hold on to Oparanya despite his scaring and confusing statements to the public? Time will tell, whichever way.