Outgoing Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, has opened up on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) going silent on his Ksh1 million pay to the party.
Speaking to Citizen TV on Tuesday, December 7, the former Council of Governors (CoG) chair noted that he made a payment of Ksh1 million to ODM as the nomination fee for presidential ticket but the party has since gone silent.
He made it clear that the money was a nomination fee charged by the party on individuals seeking to contest for the position of the flagbearer.
"As a party, ODM has its own nomination procedures. In one of the meetings we agreed to nominate our presidential candidate as early as possible so that our members can know the flagbearer," Oparaya stated.
“I paid the Ksh1 million and we were told that it was the height of the pandemic so we could not be allowed to meet delegates and campaign. Then we were told that our applications could not be processed for that purpose and thereafter we have not gotten any other information.”
The deputy ODM party leader, however, noted that should the party clear him early enough, he might take a stab at the country's top seat.
Oparanya further revealed his role in the upcoming major event hosted by ODM party, Raila Odinga, to be held at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, December 10.
Oparanya noted that he played an important part in the preparation to ensure the event dubbed Azimio La Umoja National Convention is a success as Raila is expected to announce his presidential bid.
He further made it clear that the Western region cannot produce a President in the upcoming polls but insisted that the party can still get influential posts in the next government.
"With the current formation, it's unlikely that we the people from Western can get the presidency because to get presidency we need others. Kenya is a country where you cannot be President unless you are in partnership with others," Oparanya stated.
On his support for Raila, the Kakamega Governor made one demand to the ODM leader.
"I will give him (Raila Odinga) a chance and I hope that in the future he will also give me a chance to try my luck as the next President, after him."
Former Bomet Governor, Isaac Ruto, who was in the same interview, stated that governors should not be in a rush to vie for the presidency but focus on learning first.
“I don’t think it is urgent for the governors to contest for the presidency. The work of a governor is a full-time job. It is like the parliamentary or senatorial seat where one can get involved in politics heavily,” he said.
Ruto, however, cautioned governors who are actively participating in presidential campaigns to stop abandoning their posts and focus their efforts on development instead.
“A governor is a CEO of a specific county and it would be a waste of resources of the specific county where he represents if he were to be absent that would be similar to abdicating his duties."
