Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party Leader and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has refuted media reports claiming he asked Opposition leader Raila Odinga to retire.
The report published by a local daily claimed that while addressing forums in Ikolomani and Khwisero, Oparanya stated that Raila should retire and back him for the top seat in the 2022 election as he would seek the ODM ticket.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Monday, however, Oparanya denied that he wanted his Party leader to retire, describing him as 'energetic' and 'with a lot to offer'.
He further stated that Raila, who met President Uhuru Kenyatta at Harambee House on Friday, should focus on national healing and leave a legacy behind.
"All right-thinking Kenyans should support the talks because they can bring about unity, stability and boost the economy. But we are saying any dialogue must be structured," Oparanya affirmed.
[caption caption="NASA leader Raila Odinga walks with Governor Wycliffe Oparanya"]
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He claimed that those behind the media reports were his political detractors intent on driving a wedge between him and NASA co-principals Moses Wetangula and Musalia Mudavadi.
The two, like Oparanya, hail from Western Kenya and have presidential ambitions. Wetangula and Mudavadi are also party leaders for Ford-K and Amani National Congress (ANC) respectively.
The report had claimed that Oparanya asked the two leaders to support his 2022 Presidential bid as they had 'stagnated', something the Governor flatly denied ever stating.
Wetangula and Mudavadi, alongside Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, met Raila on Monday at Stoni Athi after earlier lamenting that they were kept in the dark about the opposition chief's surprise meeting with President Kenyatta on Friday last week.
[caption caption="NASA Leader Raila Odinga, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Senator Cleophas Malala"]
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