Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has dropped a political bombshell, declaring his absolute readiness to sever ties with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) if that is the price for unifying the Luhya community.

Speaking on Tuesday during the funeral service of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, the Co-operatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary framed the potential exit not as an act of betrayal, but as a strategic necessity to consolidate Western Kenya’s historically fractured political influence.

Calculated Gamble or Regional Duty?

Oparanya, a stalwart of the Orange party and a key figure in its hierarchy, told mourners that personal ambition must now bow to regional cohesion. His declaration, "Niko tayari" (I am ready), signals a potential seismic shift in the opposition's stronghold, suggesting that the veteran politician is looking beyond party colors toward a unified Western voting bloc.

The former Kakamega Governor emphasized that his decision is driven by a singular agenda:

• Regional Cohesion: Ending the perennial division of the Luhya vote between competing national outfits.
• Political Leverage: Ensuring the region negotiates at the national table as a single, formidable entity rather than fragmented factions.
• Legacy Building: Honoring the wishes of departed leaders who championed unity.

"I am ready to leave ODM," Oparanya asserted, noting that the path to the presidency or significant national power for the region requires a sacrifice of current partisan comforts.

The Jirongo Factor

The setting of the announcement was poignant. Oparanya paid a moving tribute to the late Cyrus Jirongo, describing him as a tireless advocate for Western Kenya's solidarity. By anchoring his political pivot on Jirongo’s legacy, Oparanya effectively insulated himself from immediate accusations of disloyalty, framing the move instead as a fulfillment of a collective duty.

"He was a brother who understood that our strength lies in our numbers, not our divisions," Oparanya noted, sharing insights into private meetings where the two leaders had mapped out a vision for the region's future.

Internal Rifts Widening

Oparanya's statement does not exist in a vacuum. It comes against a backdrop of intensifying infighting within ODM. Tensions have recently flared between Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, with verbal altercations spilling into the public domain.

For the average Kenyan voter in Western, Oparanya's potential exit raises critical questions about the stability of the current political opposition and whether a new, region-centric vehicle is being assembled ahead of the next electoral cycle. If the region unites, it alters the national arithmetic significantly; if it fragments further, the status quo remains.

As the dust settles on Jirongo’s send-off, the political class is left to decipher whether Oparanya’s words were merely funeral diplomacy or the first shot in a new battle for Western supremacy.