Jirongo, Ford Kenya leaders demand Oparanya apologises for remarks

Former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo and Ford Kenya leaders have asked Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to apologise for dismissing presidential candidates from western region as jokers.

Mr Jirongo, one of the presidential aspirants, cautioned Governor Oparanya to stop ridiculing leaders from the region.

He said Governor Oparanya's remarks indicated he had lost touch with the unfolding political scenario in the region.

“Mr Oparanya is free to speak his mind but I want to tell him that he will be shocked so badly since he has not idea of what is taking place (politically),” said the United Democratic Party chief.

Kakamega County Ford Kenya officials, led by their chairman Abel Mutimba, said it was wrong for Mr Oparanya to disparage presidential hopefuls from the region when he had indicated he would be in the race for the top seat in 2022 polls.

“Mr Oparanya should apologise to the Luhya nation for belittling his colleagues who have declared they will be contesting the presidency. He should know when the time comes, he will need them to support him,” said Mr Mutimba.

POLITICAL REALIGNMENTS

Mr Jirongo has for the past three months been out of the political limelight, preferring to keep away from political campaigns in the region.

But he said the one year left before the next General Election was a long time for crucial political realignments to take place, adding that he was involved in consultations with other western Kenya politicians to try and ensure communities voted as a bloc in next year’s polls.

“I want my supporters to know that I will not be interested in contesting for the gubernatorial, senate or parliamentary seat. I’m still determined to go for the top seat,” said Mr Jirongo.

On Wednesday, Mr Oparanya accused the candidates of wasting time at funerals instead of coming up with proper strategies to win support from voters through campaign rallies.

“After attending funerals, they retreat to hotels accompanied by their supporters thinking they have convinced people to vote for them when that is not the case,” said Mr Oparanya when he inspected projects in Navakholo Sub-County.

JUBILEE ONSLAUGHT

Although the Kakamega County governor did not name the politicians he was referring to, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and Mr Jirongo have declared their intentions to contest the presidency in next year’s polls.

Governor Oparanya maintained that he would support ODM party leader Raila Odinga for the presidency, saying the two are close friends.

The governor has stepped up campaigns in Kakamega County to try and ward off an onslaught by Jubilee Party.

United Democratic Forum MPs Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Bernard Washiali (Ikolomani), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) and Ayub Savulu (Lugari), and New Ford Kenya’s David Were (Matungu) and Malulu Injendi (Malava) of Maendeleo Democratic Party have announced plans to join Jubilee.

(Editing by Joel Muinde and Henry Gekonde)