Cracks within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have continued to widen after Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa publicly criticised Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya over his recent remarks concerning the party’s internal disputes and the treatment of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders from the Western region.

Speaking to residents in the Nanyeni area of Matungu Sub-County on Sunday, May 10, 2026, Barasa accused Oparanya of shifting attention away from his current responsibilities in government and instead focusing too much on ODM’s internal wrangles.

Barasa, who also serves as ODM chairperson in Kakamega County, told Oparanya that his main focus should be helping President William Ruto secure political support rather than complaining about tensions surrounding Sifuna.

“Mimi nataka kuambia mheshimiwa Oparanya yakwamba wewe ni waziri. Fanya kazi ya kutafutia William Ruto kura. Nimemuona juzi akisema yakwamba yeye ako na ugumu wa kutafutia William Ruto kura kwa sababu ya Sifuna,” Barasa said.

His remarks were in response to Oparanya’s recent warning that ODM risked losing popularity in Western Kenya if leaders associated with the region continued being removed from party and parliamentary positions.

ODM succession tensions intensify

Barasa also declared that leaders in Kakamega firmly support Oburu Oginga as the recognised ODM party leader, signalling growing divisions over the party’s future direction and leadership structure.

“Mimi nataka kuambia Oparanya kuwa sisi kama ODM, mimi nikiwa mwenyekiti wa Kakamega, tuko nyuma ya Oburu Oginga, na ODM ambayo tunatambua ni ya Oburu Oginga,” he said.

Oparanya’s concerns over Western support

Oparanya had earlier expressed concern that the removal of leaders such as Sifuna, Godfrey Osotsi, and Caleb Amisi from influential positions was creating dissatisfaction among ODM supporters in Western Kenya.

He warned that grassroots supporters were increasingly questioning why leaders associated with the region appeared to be targeted, making it harder for ODM leaders to mobilise support on the ground.

According to Oparanya, internal disciplinary actions risk weakening the party’s standing in one of its key support bases ahead of the 2027 General Election.