Governor Barasa Urges President Ruto to Sack CS Oparanya Over Political Interference
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has asked President William Ruto and ODM party leader Raila Odinga to intervene and stop Co-operatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya from involving himself in county and party politics.
According to Barasa, if the CS cannot separate his government role from local politics, the president should consider removing him from office.
Speaking during a church service in Kakamega on Sunday, September 14, Governor Barasa accused Oparanya of using Members of Parliament from the region to pass messages of dissatisfaction to President Ruto.
Barasa claimed that Oparanya has been unhappy with his current cabinet position and has been lobbying for a more influential role, specifically the Treasury docket.
The governor insisted that a Cabinet Secretary should be focused on serving the nation through the ministry he has been assigned rather than fueling divisions in the community. He warned that Oparanya’s conduct is creating unnecessary tension both in Kakamega politics and within the ODM party.
“This CS thinks he can come here every other day to disrupt our peace. We are tired of these disturbances, and I want to urge the president to relieve us of this burden. If Oparanya feels he cannot perform in his ministry, then it is better for the president to replace him. A position that was created to unite us should not be turned into a source of division,” Barasa said.
The governor further argued that Oparanya’s actions are embarrassing to the community, stressing that Kakamega residents want development, not endless political battles. He told President Ruto to call the CS to order before matters escalate further.
“You were given this job in the Broad-Based Government so that you could bring the Western Region together. Instead, because you are unhappy with the position, you are now sending MPs to tell the president you want to be Treasury CS.
That is unacceptable. Here in Kakamega, we are on the ground, and we cannot allow you to keep interfering with local politics. It is an embarrassment,” Barasa added.
Oparanya, who was appointed on August 8, 2024, during President Ruto’s cabinet reshuffle that followed anti-government protests, has recently found himself at the center of controversy. His critics accuse him of playing double roles—serving as a state officer while also meddling in ODM party matters.
On Saturday, September 13, while addressing ODM supporters in Kakamega, Oparanya dismissed the ongoing wrangles over the party’s county leadership. He warned that internal fights risk weakening the ODM party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The CS, while maintaining his loyalty to ODM, criticized the recent election of Kakamega’s county ODM chair, saying the process was flawed and violated the party’s own procedures. According to him, the elections were conducted in an irregular manner, unlike in other counties.
“I only stepped down from ODM leadership because I wanted some rest, but I remain a committed member of the party. The law is clear that a Cabinet Secretary cannot also serve as a party official. That does not mean I left ODM,” Oparanya said.
“ODM has existed since 2005, and I understand how its structures work. I have never witnessed a situation where one person is handpicked in such a questionable process. What happened here in Kakamega was uncalled for and has no precedent in the party’s history,” he added.
Governor Barasa’s remarks now place President Ruto in a delicate position as he balances political interests within his cabinet and in Western Kenya.
The confrontation between Barasa and Oparanya also signals growing friction within ODM, which could influence the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
Join Government Official WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
