Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.
Some legislators from Western Kenya have now rallied support for Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya to replace Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 General Election.
They cautioned that Mt Kenya’s strained relationship with President Ruto, caused by the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, makes the region unfit to retain the second highest office in the land.
"We support President Ruto to complete his 10-year term, but we endorse Oparanya to be his next Deputy President," said Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka.
The MPs have launched a campaign to popularise the initiative arguing that Mr Oparanya has the experience to effectively manage a government following his proven record when he served as the governor of Kakamega County between 2013 and 2022.
Mr Aseka’s sentiments were backed by Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) and Elsie Muhanda (Kakamega County MP).
Western Kenya sidelined
While stating that Western Kenya has been sidelined in national leadership, they noted that the elevation of CS Oparanya will thrust the region’s influence on the national stage.
With Ruto facing mounting criticism from the Mt Kenya region ahead of his visit, the Western Kenya MPs hope to tap into the opportunity to reposition their bloc politically.
The MPs also announced plans to crown Mr Oparanya as the Western region’s political kingpin, arguing that the region has remained in the shadows for too long.
Mr Aseka declared that Oparanya has "proven beyond reasonable doubt that he has all it takes to lead the nation."
A delegation of leaders drawn from Western region pose for a picture with President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi on August 19, 2023.
“Oparanya is the CS but he got this position through the window. I want to urge the former governor to get out of the shadows and be at the front table so that in 2027 he can be this country's next Deputy President,” noted Mr Aseka.
Ms Muhanda pointed out that Western region has significant numbers and deserves to play a central role in the national decision making process.
“We have met with our brothers and sisters from Bungoma, Busia and Vihiga and they all agreed to rally behind his candidacy. We have unwavering support from across the region and therefore, we shall present our initiative to the President so that he begins working on it early enough,” said Ms Muhanda.
Other MPs including Khamala, Shinali and Wangwe emphasised on the need to have the Western region politically united to negotiate for power at the national level.
“We cannot afford to be rudderless, clueless and networkless. Our community must stand together and ensure we have a seat at the highest table,” said Mr Khamala.
Bargaining power
The MPs now want Mr Oparanya to join hands with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to strengthen the region’s bargaining power.
“It is now time for the Western region to unite and demand the leadership of this nation. Mr Oparanya is ripe to take the deputy president position and we assure him of our unwavering support,” said Mr Wangwe.
Kenya Kwanza leaders, led by ANC party boss Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula address residents of Lumakanda in Kakamega County on May 24, 2022.
With Mudavadi and Wetang’ula jostling to replace President Ruto in 2032, Oparanya’s endorsement signals a new political alignment in Western region, a key player in the country’s politics.
Mr Oparanya served as Butere MP for ten years and was appointed as the Minister for Planning and Vision 2030 by the former president Mwai Kibaki through the Grand Coalition government.
In 2013, he was elected the first governor of Kakamega County and served for two terms.
