Kakamega Governor plans to run for president come 2022 should be a something to worry about for ANC Leader Musalia Mudavadi and ODM Leader Raila Odinga if they are planning to compete for the top seat.
Reports have it that the governor who also doubles up as the Chairman of Council of governors has already started setting thing together assembling his campaign machine.
The county chief is also the founding chairman of the Lake Region Economic Bloc, which brings together 14 counties from Western Kenya.
Currently Raila and Mudavadi are the kingpins in the region this means they are his biggest threat
Raila has successfully controlled the region’s vote basket,for 15 years, he has enjoyed the loyalty of Oparanya and other Western leaders.
Musalia, who is vouching for the elusive Luhya unity, is likely to be dealt a blow even as he courts the Mount Kenya region in his bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
According to Oparanya, “I’m the ODM deputy party leader. Now that I’m going for the ODM ticket, a discussion will be crucial,” he said. Oparanya’s ambition faces a litmus test should Raila declare his interest in the presidency a fifth stab. He could have no choice but to follow in the footsteps of Mudavadi, who decamped from the Orange party in 2012 and ran for President on a UDF ticket. UDF and Kanu formed the Amani coalition that came third after Jubilee and Cord.”
His bid has been welcomed by a number of leaders including ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe of Jubilee Party , Nominated MP Geoffrey Osotsi among others.