'Betrayal': Ex-Governor Wycliffe Oparanya severs political ties with Raila Odinga

Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has severed political ties with the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga.

Oparanya said on Tuesday in Ichinga Village, Mumias East during the funeral of nominated MCA Phaustine Welimo that he no longer had any business with Raila

He accused Raila of political betrayal even though his Luhya community has supported Raila five general elections.

Oparanya said he could not understand the reason behind all other big communities sending an MP to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and not his Luhya community.

“The result of that vote is that all other big tribes, but the Luhya sent an MP to EALA,” Oparanya said.

Oparanya said he would henceforth focus on uniting the Luhya community in charting its own political path ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He offered himself to steward the Luhya community unity drive regardless of Raila’s take on his exit.

“I am offering myself from now to lead the unity drive of our people. I am done with Raila and even if he bad-mouths me, God forbid, he knows he will not be forgiven,” Oparanya said.

Oparanya disclosed his grievance stemmed from the failure of his preferred candidate, former Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito to be picked for EALA representation.

He claimed MPs asked for money from Kizito before he was considered for the EALA slot, which he apparently did not have.

“I was pushing for Kizito Justus to go to EALA, but MPs were grumbling that Kizito had no money. I was wondering that MPs must also be bribed to vote,” Oparanya claimed.

This comes after a section of Luhya MPs also accused Raila of excluding the community from the Parliamentary Service Commission slots and the minority leadership position.

However, Oparanya did not indicate if he will quit the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) which is led by Raila