November 27, 2024

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Oparanya: I will not leave ODM party any time soon

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Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya (pictured) yesterday maintained that he will not leave Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

 He told off critics from his native Western Kenya, who wanted him to defect to a home grown party.

He insisted that he was a founder member of ODM and contributed immensely towards the growth and stability of the party and was not interested in jumping ships to please the political ego of some local leaders.

 Speaking in Likuyani sub-county during the funeral service of Joseph Makhanu, he rejected pleas by Amani National Congress (ANC) legislators led by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala to abandon ODM and rally behind ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi, who is eyeing the presidency in next year’s polls.

False promises The county chief said it is Mudavadi who took him to ODM in 2007 adding that he did not see any reason he should defect.

“Mudavadi took me to ODM in 2007 where he was the running mate of Raila Odinga. I don’t like party-hopping, that is why I am still in ODM to date,” he said.

The Governor noted that he is ready to work with Mudavadi if he (Mudavadi) will look for him and asked leaders to stop giving the electorate false promises.

Deputy Governor Prof. Philip Kutima shared the platform with his two rivals for the gubernatorial seat, Malala and Lugari MP Ayub Savula.

Kutima aid he is the most experienced candidate to succeed Oparanya as governor of Kakamega.