By Joshua Otieno | May 17, 2026
KAKAMEGA, KENYA — Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has demanded the resignation of Cooperatives and SMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya if he is unable to actively campaign for President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The remarks come amid growing political tensions in Western Kenya over the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)’s influence in the region and the role of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)-allied leaders serving in government.
Speaking on the matter, Savula criticized Oparanya following the Cabinet Secretary’s public admission that recent political developments within ODM—particularly divisions surrounding Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna—have complicated efforts to market President Ruto’s re-election bid in Western Kenya.
“If you cannot campaign for the President, then you should leave government,” Savula stated, arguing that leaders serving in the Kenya Kwanza administration must fully support President Ruto’s political agenda.
Savula, who has declared his intention to contest the Kakamega gubernatorial seat in 2027 under a UDA ticket, accused Oparanya of remaining politically tied to ODM leader Raila Odinga despite serving in Cabinet.
The Deputy Governor further dismissed claims that President Ruto faces challenges gaining political support in Western Kenya, insisting the region remains receptive to the Kenya Kwanza administration’s development agenda.
His sentiments echo growing pushback from some UDA-allied leaders in the region, including Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, who have questioned Oparanya’s recent remarks on the political climate in Western Kenya.
The exchange highlights emerging political friction within the broad-based government arrangement, as ODM-linked Cabinet Secretaries face mounting pressure from UDA loyalists to publicly back President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.
With political realignments already taking shape ahead of the next General Election, leaders across Western Kenya continue positioning themselves for influence in both regional and national politics.
