Oparanya in bid to counter Jubilee wave in Kakamega
What you need to know:
- The campaign to entrench Jubilee in a region that overwhelmingly voted for ODM in the 2013 polls has been gathering momentum.
- The MPs have intensified campaigns in churches to win the support of religious leaders.
Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has stepped up political activity to fight off an onslaught by MPs crusading to win support for the Jubilee Party in Kakamega County.
Mr Oparanya has concentrated his rallying in Matungu, Likuyani, Malava, Lugari and Mumias to try and ward off a sustained campaign by a group of Jubilee friendly MPs.
The five constituencies are considered key in providing the swing vote in the county.
Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali who is a key point man for the Jubilee Party in Kakamega has been traversing the region accompanied UDF lawmakers Ayub Savula (Lugari), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) and Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani).
Other MPs who have declared their decamping to Jubilee are New Ford Kenya’s David Were (Matungu) and MDP’s Malulu Injendi (Malava).
The MPs have intensified campaigns in churches to win the support of religious leaders and their flock and make huge donations during such visits while asking residents to abandon the opposition and support the government.
The campaign to entrench Jubilee in a region that overwhelmingly voted for ODM in the 2013 polls has been gathering momentum in the wake of planned visits by President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga next month.
Last week, the governor pitched camp in Malava for two days to compel residents not to be enticed by the frequent visits made by Jubilee-friendly MPs.
Meanwhile, a section of MCAs asked Mr Oparanya to stop wasting resources in launching “small projects.”
Instead, they have asked him to give priority to sugar cane farmers and come up with a plan to contribute to the revival of Mumias Sugar Company.
“Things like Oparanya care, giving out bedding to elderly people and opening ECD classes can be done by executive members in charge. Why use a lot of resources to open Sh2 million classes?” Posed Namamali Ward Representative Kevin Olengo.
He claimed that the governor was busy campaigning instead of initiating projects.
“Enough is enough. We cannot sit down and watch someone run a corrupt government. He should up his game and start working,” said Mr Olengo.
However, Mr Oparanya, speaking at Kakamega High School while commissioning some projects, defended his record saying he had done a lot to initiate projects that have had a positive impact on locals.
