Many look at him as someone with a small political influence, little did they know that he is a headache to his Party leader Raila Odinga and his ANC counterpart Musalia Mudavadi. Will it be an easy journey to him? Well, Council of Governors chairman Wycliffe Oparanya’s 2022 presidential bid is reshaping the landscape in Western Kenya and has rattled powerful political figures eyeing State House.
According to The Star, the Kakamega governor is quietly assembling his campaign machine for a stab at the presidency against seasoned big guns.
The local daily understands that Oparanya has already established a full-fledged presidential secretariat in Nairobi’s upmarket Kilimani Estate and hired researchers and political advisers three and a half years to the polls.
Two weeks ago, Oparanya hosted 12 of the county’s elected leaders and two of its nominated leaders for a two-day retreat at the Windsor Golf and Country Club in Kiambu county.
At the end of the retreat, he managed to lobby many of those present to buy into his presidential bid.
Deputy President William Ruto is said to be courting Oparanya as a potential running mate and his critics say the DP has a hand in the governor’s renewed political activities and higher profile.
Oparanya yesterday rubbished any links to the DP, saying he is his own man. His profile has been growing, leading to his overwhelming election as CoG boss.
The county chief is also the founding chairman of the Lake Region Economic Bloc, which brings together 14 counties from Western Kenya.R
The obvious casualties of Oparanya’s political moves are his ODM party boss Raila Odinga, ANC leader and regional kingpin Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula.
Raila has successfully controlled the region’s vote basket, essentially making it his stronghold in three consecutive polls. For 15 years, he has enjoyed the loyalty of Oparanya and other Western leaders.
Oparanya, a former Planning minister, and his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho are among the few leaders who have stuck with Raila since his botched 2007 presidential bid. They were rewarded with deputy party leadership positions, making them Raila’s de-facto seconds in command. Both now have their eyes trained on the top job.
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.