Oparanya: ODM Expulsions Making It Hard to Campaign for Ruto
Politics Updated: 11 May 2026 10:30 EAT
CS Wycliffe Oparanya speaking in Busia ahead of Uwezo Fund cheques issuance at Bukhalarire High School, Butula Constituency.
Co-operatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has openly criticised the growing wrangles within ODM, warning that internal expulsions and political infighting are making it increasingly difficult for leaders allied to the broad-based government to campaign for President William Ruto in opposition strongholds.
Speaking during a public gathering in Western Kenya, the former Kakamega governor admitted that ODM leaders had started making political mistakes at a sensitive period ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Sisi tunafanya makosa kama viongozi wa ODM. Tumeanza kufanya makosa saa hii tuko kipindi cha Lala Salama,” Oparanya said, referring to what he termed as a crucial political season that requires unity rather than divisions.
Oparanya criticised the trend of removing and isolating party members with differing opinions, saying the constant expulsions were creating confusion among supporters and weakening mobilisation efforts at the grassroots.
“Sasa hao wengine wanasema huyu si mzuri afukuzwe. Na hii kitu ya kufukuza watu sasa wanafanya kazi yetu kuwa ngumu. Kazi yetu ya kutafutia rais kura imekuwa ngumu,” he stated.
The CS revealed that leaders campaigning in ODM zones are now being confronted by residents demanding explanations over why certain party figures are being pushed out or targeted politically.
“Ukienda mahali unaulizwa kwa nini fulani alifukuzwa. Hata kule kwa bunge wanafukuza wengine. Kule kwa bunge wengine wanataka kufukuzwa na hii ni kipindi cha lala salama,” Oparanya added.
According to him, the divisions are damaging ODM’s image and threatening the broader political cooperation that some party leaders have built with President Ruto’s administration under the broad-based arrangement.
“Itasaidia sisi? Hapana. Tunataka sisi wote tuwe pamoja saa hii,” he said while urging party members to avoid actions that deepen hostility and suspicion within the movement.
Oparanya further admitted that he has personally struggled to answer tough questions from supporters while touring parts of Western Kenya because many of those under attack are longtime ODM grassroots mobilisers.
“Nimetembea huku ni nyumbani. Natembea nauliza maswali siwezi kujibu kwa sababu mimi si kiongozi wa ODM. Hao ni vijana wetu hata kama wamekosa, wamekosa lakini kurudia kosa ndio makosa,” he remarked.
The former governor said leaders from Western Kenya must now prioritise unity and collective political planning instead of public confrontations and endless disputes that risk weakening the region politically ahead of 2027.
“Sisi kama viongozi wa bunge na hawa mawaziri tumesema hatutaki kuendelea na aibu. Aibu ni kwamba tunasambaratika kila wakati,” he said.
Oparanya also called for leaders from across the Western region to come together regardless of political affiliations, saying the community must begin serious discussions on its numerical strength and bargaining power before the next election.
“Tumechukua tarehe ukuwe wewe ni mrengo gani? Bora unatoka huku Western. Wewe ni Mluya, wewe ni Mteso, wewe ni msupporti. Tunataka twende tukutane kama viongozi tuambiane namba zetu wakati huu tukienda 2027 mpaka hiyo hesabu ikuwe na maana,” he said.
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FELIX MAKONA
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