Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has asked residents of Western Kenya to continue supporting Cord leader Raila Odinga, saying that it was clear Odinga would leave the party mantle to him upon retirement.
Speaking on Saturday in Matete Sub-county during his inspection tour of projects initiated and run by the county government, Oparanya said he had offered his utmost support for the Cord leader with anticipation that he (Odinga) would support him back in 2022.
“I have told Mr Odinga I will not waver in my support for him as I prepare myself to join the presidential contest in 2022,” he said.
Oparanya further added that the Luhya community had better chances of ascending to power if they supported ODM as opposed to joining the Jubilee Party.
“Our support for Odinga will open up an easy opportunity for me and other candidates from Western to clinch the presidency,” he added.
“If President Uhuru Kenyatta wins the elections next year, he will serve his second term and pave way for his deputy in 2022. It’s quite clear that the Luhya have no chance in the Jubilee political arrangement,” Oparanya said.
The same sentiments were made by Kakamega businessman Abdalla Ismail Wanyama who asked Odinga to reciprocate the support Western Kenya has accorded him by in return supporting a candidate from the Luhya community when he retires.