Oparanya Denies Interference in Kakamega County Affairs

Kakamega, Kenya — September 22, 2025, 15:40 EAT.

Cooperatives and SMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has moved to quell growing speculation about his alleged involvement in Kakamega County politics, firmly dismissing claims that he is meddling in the affairs of the devolved unit.

The Latest

Speaking during a televised interview on Monday, Oparanya clarified that his role as a Cabinet Secretary is strictly national in scope and does not extend to county-level political dynamics. He insisted that he is fully focused on delivering his mandate to strengthen Kenya’s cooperative movement and small business sector.

“What is it there in Kakamega for me to be involved? I have enough work as Cabinet Secretary in charge of cooperatives; I have nothing to do with Kakamega. But sometimes when they see me around, they see waves,” Oparanya said, dismissing claims of rivalry with the county leadership.

The former Kakamega governor emphasised that his appearances in the county should not be misinterpreted as political manoeuvres, noting that as a national leader, it is natural for him to maintain ties with his home region.

Context in Brief

Speculation about Oparanya’s involvement in county politics has simmered for months, with some local politicians accusing him of influencing decisions behind the scenes. This comes amid heightened political activity in Kakamega ahead of the 2027 general elections, where alliances and early positioning have triggered tensions among local leaders.

Oparanya, who served as Kakamega governor from 2013 to 2022, remains an influential figure in the region’s politics and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party. However, since joining President William Ruto’s Cabinet in 2023 as part of a broad-based government initiative, he has largely refrained from active participation in party or county-level contests.

Stakeholder Reactions

• Kakamega County officials have not publicly accused Oparanya directly but have called for “political neutrality” from national leaders to avoid confusion in local governance.

• Political analysts say Oparanya’s stature as a former governor naturally keeps him in the political spotlight, even when performing national duties.

• Local community leaders welcomed his statement, saying it would help ease tensions between the national and county governments.

Risks and Implications

• Persistent perceptions of interference could deepen political divisions in Kakamega ahead of the 2027 polls.

• Clarity from Oparanya may help stabilise relations between local and national leaders, allowing development projects to proceed without political distractions.

• Nationally, the statement signals the Cabinet Secretary’s intent to stay focused on economic portfolios rather than electoral politics.

What We Don’t Know

• Whether local leaders making the accusations will respond to Oparanya’s denial.

• If ODM’s internal power dynamics in Kakamega County are contributing to the allegations.

• Whether the national government will issue further clarifications on Cabinet Secretaries’ roles in county-level affairs.

Timeline

• 2013–2022: Oparanya serves as Kakamega Governor.

• 2023: Appointed Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and SMEs in Ruto’s broad-based government.

• September 22, 2025: Denies allegations of interfering in county politics during a TV interview.

What to Watch

• Reactions from Kakamega County leadership to Oparanya’s remarks.

• Potential ODM statements clarifying the party’s position in Kakamega politics.

• Impact on upcoming political alignments ahead of the 2027 general election.

Editor’s Note: This story will be updated as more stakeholders respond to Oparanya’s remarks and as political dynamics in Kakamega evolve.