Raila referees Wetangula, Oparanya clash over presidential bid fete

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has finally agreed to allow Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula to launch his presidential bid at Masinde Muliro grounds next weekend.

This follows a one-hour closed-door meeting with Coalitions for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) leader Raila Odinga at the former Prime Minister’s Opoda home in Bondo Constituency.

Addressing the press shortly after the meeting that was also attended by Siaya Senator James Orengo and Butere MP Andrew Toboso, Odinga confirmed that Wetangula’s presidential bid will take place on the 2nd April as earlier planned.

Oparanya had earlier opposed the launching of Wetangula’s presidential bid in Kakamega, instead advising the Bungoma Senator to launch his bid in a Ford Kenya stronghold.

The Kakamega Governor also opposed plans by Ford Kenya to have Cord affiliate parties embrace zoning in the coming General Elections so as to have a competitive edge against President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party.

Oparanya had slammed Wetangula’s planned presidential bid saying he cannot be backed as Cord’s flag bearer in 2017.

“ODM is a national party with roots across the country. You (Ford Kenya) should consider yourselves lucky to be in a coalition that is very popular in Mombasa, Nyeri, Nyanza and here in Western Kenya. Ford Kenya is merely known in marginal parts of Bungoma,” said Oparanya.

Oparanya said he had earlier met Wetangula and advised him to launch his bid in a Ford Kenya stronghold and not in Kakamega.

Oparanya stated that he had no issue partnering with Ford Kenya, provided the partnership was borne out of good intentions.

“Ford Kenya are our brothers and they are welcome to carry out their activities here anytime. They should, however, do so with good motives. If they are going to start knocking at our doors just because they want Wetangula to vie for presidency on a Cord coalition ticket then they are mistaken,” he added.

He added that Wetangula is welcome to visit his county.

“We already know who will be the CORD flag bearer. Wetangula is the son of Kakamega and he can visit anytime he wants but we are not going to discuss this issue.”