The political rift between Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has escalated into a full-scale battle for supremacy, threatening to destabilize the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) stronghold and disrupt broader regional alliances in Western Kenya.
Addressing supporters in Mumias, Governor Barasa fired back at his predecessor, declaring that he is unbowed by political campaigns against his administration.
“Your campaign against me will not succeed; I have the people behind me,” Barasa asserted, accusing Oparanya of engaging in divisive politics and undermining local leadership.
The public fallout reached new heights during recent political events in the county, where opposing factions held parallel gatherings. Matters worsened after Oparanya publicly threw his weight behind Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda for the 2027 gubernatorial seat, criticizing Barasa’s development record.
Once close allies, the relationship between the two leaders deteriorated following the 2022 General Elections.
Oparanya has repeatedly linked his past legal troubles and raids by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to political scheming by his successor.
The feud deepened during contested ODM grassroots elections, particularly over the Kakamega County ODM chairmanship involving Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera.
Barasa accuses Oparanya of orchestrating strategy meetings to destabilize the Kakamega County Assembly and undermine his re-election bid.
Prominent figures, including Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, have urged executive interventions to broker peace between the two leaders, warning that continued infighting could stall county development and weaken the region’s bargaining power nationally. Despite high-level mediation attempts by party leaders, both sides remain on a collision course.
