Stop funding Opposition to scuttle Gov’t, Oparanya, Oburu-led ODM tells Uhuru

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has been called upon to stop funding both the opposition and the ODM Linda Mwananchi faction with the intention of scuttling President William Ruto’s efforts to secure a second term in office.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Linda Ground stalwarts, led by Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya, made the remarks during the UDA-ODM broad-based rally held at Malava Primary School grounds in Kakamega County.

The leaders pledged their continued support for President William Ruto’s second term in office, provided they secure the Deputy President’s slot.

The first to fire the salvo was ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohammed, who lashed out at retired President Uhuru Kenyatta over his alleged involvement in the wrangles within ODM.

He accused Uhuru Kenyatta of being the financial mastermind behind the woes affecting the ODM party since the passing of its leader, Raila Odinga.

He alleged that Uhuru was funding the Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi faction, which has since broken ranks with the mainstream ODM and joined the united opposition front led by impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The outspoken Suna East MP blamed Uhuru Kenyatta for allegedly sabotaging President William Ruto by funding the ongoing opposition campaigns with the aim of denying the President sufficient support from ODM to secure victory and earn a second term in office.

“We are aware of your heinous plans to blackmail President Ruto so that he fails to marshal enough support to be re-elected in the 2027 polls. That is why you are working with them and even sponsoring their campaigns across the country. However, we want to assure you that your plans will fail.”

He wondered what strategy the retired President intended to use to defeat President Ruto, arguing that he had previously failed to make the late Raila Odinga President despite being in office and having the support of all State machinery.

“You were the fourth President of the Republic of Kenya for two terms (10 years). Before completing your tenure, you began grooming Raila Odinga to succeed you, knowing very well that after serving your two terms, you were expected to support your deputy, William Ruto, to serve his two terms. Instead, you backstabbed him in favour of the ODM leader.

Despite having all State agencies and support under your command, you still failed to make Raila the fifth President, with your then embattled deputy, William Ruto, clinching the presidency.

Now that you are retired, what makes you think you can groom an opposition leader, especially from Western Kenya, to divide the region’s votes and deny the incumbent a second term?”

The MP also criticised the ODM splinter group led by Edwin Sifuna, the former ODM Secretary-General, saying its plans to remove President Ruto from office would fail because Raila’s blessings remained with the broad-based government that he left behind.

“It is unfortunate that people are misleading you into believing that you possess Baba’s spirit and blessings. No, because his spirit will never join ranks with people like Rigathi Gachagua, who are spewing tribal venom and are determined to see this country burn.”

ODM Deputy Party Leader and Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Wycliffe Oparanya announced his return to active politics after taking a sabbatical following his appointment as a Cabinet Secretary under the broad-based arrangement.

Oparanya said he was ready to unite Members of Parliament from the Western region and bring them to the negotiating table in pursuit of the position of Deputy President in 2027, as agreed between President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga.

He said he had already marshalled the support of all 13 MPs from Kakamega County who attended the rally and who unanimously agreed that he was best placed to represent the Mulembe Nation as its candidate for Deputy President in 2027.

He dismissed the splinter group, likening it to a vehicle whose driver had no idea where it was headed. He urged ODM supporters to back the broad-based government, saying it offered the best opportunity for the region to secure the country’s second-highest office.

“From where we sit, we can tell that we are headed somewhere, unlike our other team, which has come from somewhere known and is heading into the unknown by pledging support to a leader who does not even know whether the elections will favour him. All he has is a personal political vendetta against President William Ruto following his impeachment.”

ODM Secretary-General Catherine Omanyo said it was unfortunate that some former ODM loyalists were allowing themselves to be used by politicians not only to split the party but also to divide the Western region in a bid to deny President William Ruto victory.

She said those she described as betrayers had been close allies of Raila Odinga and had abandoned his legacy soon after the mourning period.

“Sifuna has been asking us, ‘Who told you?’ Now I want to ask him: Who advised him and his troops to betray Baba’s legacy by joining the opposition?” she posed.

Omanyo maintained that ODM remained firmly in the broad-based government, where Raila wanted them to be, adding that the party’s fight was to remain there as an equal partner through the proper political processes.

She said it was time for the Western region to secure a seat at the high table, adding that there was no reason to abandon the progress already made and start afresh.

“Our destiny is much closer from where we are now than it would be if we joined the opposition.”

Kakamega County Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda, who is eyeing the county gubernatorial seat in 2027, lauded the various development projects initiated by the government and rallied support for President William Ruto’s final term in office.

Members of Parliament from Kakamega County who attended the rally included Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Hon. Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Hon. Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani), Hon. Elsie Muhanda (Kakamega County Woman Representative), Hon. Nabii Nabwera (Lugari), Hon. Fred Ikana (Shinyalu), Hon. Benard Masaka, and Hon. Christopher Aseka (Khwisero).

Also in attendance were broad-based MCAs, grassroots leaders, party officials, and thousands of residents from across Kakamega County, who reaffirmed their support for the broad-based government and the TUTAM agenda aimed at accelerating development, unity, and inclusive service delivery.