Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya. He is also the ODM Deputy Party leader [Photo/The Star]
With slightly over two weeks to the August general elections, a major rift is emerging within Opposition coalition National Super Alliance as affiliate parties seek to stamp their authority in the alliance.
The alliance is conglomeration of five major parties including ODM, Wiper, Ford Kenya, Amani National Congress and Bomet governor Isaac Rutto's Chama Cha Mashinani.
Sibling rivalry among the parties in the five other elective seats has threatened the unity of NASA as the Opposition angles to dislodge President Uhuru Kenyatta from leadership.
Speaking on Friday, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya claimed that there was a wider plot by NASA principals to hold the outfit's presidential candidate Raila Odinga hostage should the former Prime Minister win the Presidency.
The County chief cited the castigation of candidates vying on the ODM party ticket by the other four affiliate parties.
“They come here and tell you to vote their party candidates, because they want to deny Raila the numbers. NASA is only at the top for presidential candidate, but each party campaigns for other seats independently,” he said.
He further claimed that the four affiliate parties have been attempting to have ODM candidates step down in their favor.