In what could be the start of a long transition journey within ODM party, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya says he has Raila's blessings to revamp the party.
With Raila now engaged in AU assignments, Oparanya told Nyamira ODM local leaders that he has assumed roles along with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho in strengthening and uniting party members.
"Strengthening the party in all counties, uniting the party members, revamping the party ahead of 2022 elections and working on ways to solve differences within the party to foster development esp in Assemblies are some of our programmes," he said.
And as such, Oparanya said he will bank on local leaders to zone Deputy President William Ruto from encroaching regions believed to be ODM strongholds.
In a 3-hour meeting at Damside Hotel, the ODM deputy party leader insited that he had support from Mr Odinga to rejuvenate the party post handshake period.
"Baba (Raila) has some other assignments. He has entrusted us with power to strengthen the party. I will move countrywide to articulate our agenda," he said.
Present in the meeting were 15 MCAs from Kakamega, Nyamira Senator Okong'o Mogeni, Majority Leader Duke Masira, First Lady Naomi Nyagarama among other local ODM leaders.
Nyamira has voted ODM leader Raila Odinga overwhelmingly in the last three elections but Ruto is keen to snatch it given his frequent trips.
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