Oparanya, Wetang'ula battle for western Kenya's political crown ahead of 2027

Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula at a past event. [File, Standard]

A supremacy battle is quietly unfolding in western Kenya as Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula pursue separate political strategies that appear aimed at securing President William Ruto's running mate position ahead of the 2027 General Election.

While the leaders have not publicly declared interest in the deputy president's slot, their recent political activities, coupled with endorsements from allies, have fuelled speculation that they are positioning themselves as the region's preferred candidate for the coveted position.

The parallel campaigns have also exposed competing centres of influence in western Kenya, with Oparanya consolidating his grip in ODM as Wetang'ula rallies Kenya Kwanza and broad-based government leaders behind President Ruto. 

Political observers say the developments are shaping the region's political direction as leaders seek to counter the growing influence of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and strengthen western Kenya's bargaining power in national politics.

Over the past weeks, Oparanya has traversed Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia and Trans Nzoia counties holding ODM delegates' meetings, while Wetang'ula has been attending economic empowerment programmes organised by Members of Parliament allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The lobbying intensified after the July 16, 2026, Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election in Nyandarua County, where the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Waweru the winner after garnering 35,440 votes against UDA's Samuel Muchina Ngagah, who got 5,450 votes.

The outcome has prompted Western leaders to intensify calls to President Ruto to broaden his political base by selecting a running mate from the region.

Addressing an ODM delegates' meeting in Shinyalu Constituency, Kakamega County, Oparanya dismissed suggestions that he should form a regional political party, saying he had chosen to remain in ODM and strengthen the party ahead of a possible alliance with UDA.

The former Kakamega governor said he rejected proposals from some leaders to establish a regional outfit following what he described as the end of Raila Odinga's active leadership of the party.

"After the death of our party leader, Raila, many lawmakers came to my office asking me to form a regional party. I saw no need to form a party with only a handful of lawmakers simply to advance my personal political interests at the expense of our people," said Oparanya.

He maintained that his political future remained firmly anchored in ODM.

"I have been in ODM for the last 20 years. I have invested a lot in the party and I have decided that I am not leaving ODM. Instead, I am going to revamp and strengthen it. I will not leave it to other people. I want ODM to become strong enough to form the next government in collaboration with UDA." The CS said.

He revealed that discussions on a pre-election cooperation between ODM and UDA had already begun.

"I cannot take my people where there is uncertainty. I am taking my people to President Ruto's government in 2027. Soon ODM and UDA will harmonise their manifestos and enter into a political pact to form the next government because we have seen the development President Ruto has delivered to our people."

Several ODM legislators from western Kenya used the meeting to publicly endorse Oparanya as President Ruto's running mate.

Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali said the region had resolved to support President Ruto's re-election while pushing for Oparanya to occupy the deputy president's position.

"We have decided as a region that we shall support President Ruto's 2027 re-election because of the development we have witnessed. As ODM leaders, however, we want Oparanya to become the President's running mate to strategically position Western Kenya for national leadership in 2032. We must also ensure every eligible voter is registered."

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera echoed the sentiments, insisting ODM would remain politically relevant.

"No one should imagine ODM will disappear. ODM is here to stay and we shall make it stronger. We urge the President to shift greater political focus to Western Kenya after the Ol Kalou results. As a region, we want the running mate position and our preferred candidate is Oparanya," the MP said.

Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka dismissed claims that some leaders intended to weaken ODM in the region.

"Some people thought they could push us out of ODM, but we are not going anywhere. We shall strengthen the party from within. President Ruto has done a lot for our region and Kakamega, as the biggest county in Western Kenya, has its own political kingpin in Oparanya. We are endorsing him for the running mate position," he said.

Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana, who elected on a UDA ticket, also backed Oparanya.

"We must work together and our people should see ODM and UDA as partners because we want Oparanya to be part of President Ruto's government."

On the other hand, Speaker Wetang'ula's allies are lobbying to have President Ruto consider him for the deputy president's slot.

The leaders argue that the Ol Kalou by-election exposed political vulnerabilities in the President's traditional Mt Kenya support base and demonstrated the need to strengthen alliances elsewhere, particularly in Western Kenya.

Speaking during separate public engagements, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka said the by-election should serve as a political wake-up call.

"The Ol Kalou by-election has shown us where we stand politically. We want to assure the President that Western Kenya is ready to support his re-election," he said.

Dr Lusaka argued that awarding the region the deputy president's position would acknowledge its loyalty while broadening President Ruto's support ahead of the next General Election.

"The President should consider giving western Kenya the deputy president's slot alongside continued development projects that will further consolidate support for his re-election," he said.

Sirisia MP John Waluke said leaders from the region had unanimously resolved to support President Ruto while fronting Wetang'ula for the running mate position.

"We are asking the President to consider Western Kenya for the slot and we are fronting our son, Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, as the best suited for the position."

Waluke argued that Wetang'ula's nomination would strengthen Kenya Kwanza's support across Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia counties.

Although his supporters openly lobbied for him, Wetang'ula steered clear of the deputy president debate.

The Speaker urged Western Kenya leaders to remain united and continue supporting President Ruto's administration, citing ongoing development projects in the region.

"We have seen President Ruto deliver major development projects in Western Kenya, including the completion of Kakamega Level Six Hospital, Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega Airstrip, roads and other projects across the region. We urge our people to remain united and rally behind the President."