Governor Barasa moves to mend ties with Oparanya after Oburu’s recent meeting
By Mabonga Makhanu, May 13, 2026Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has announced the end of his long-running feud with his predecessor, Wycliffe Oparanya, following a peace meeting held in Kakamega and brokered by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga.
Speaking in Lugari on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, during a meeting with farmers, Governor Barasa confirmed that the political differences between him and Oparanya had officially come to an end after months of a war of words.
He said that during the high-level reconciliation meeting, both leaders agreed to set aside political propaganda and focus on development. They also committed to working together going forward with mutual respect and cooperation.
“Tumekuwa na mkutano na viongozi wa Kakamega siku ya Jumatatu, mkutano ambao ulikuwa umeandaliwa na kiongozi wa chama chetu cha ODM, Oburu Odinga. Katika mkutano huu, Oparanya na viongozi wengine wa Kakamega walihudhuria, na tulikubaliana kushirikiana sisi wote,” Barasa said.
“Tulikubalian kuwa mambo ya fitina tumeeka nyuma.”
Barasa further warned political opportunists who had taken advantage of the conflict between him and Oparanya, stating that their time was up now that peace had been restored between the two leaders.
Oparanya-Barasa truce
This ocmes after Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Odinga brokered a truce between the two after days of wrangles.
The two reconciled during a peace meeting dubbed “Unity for the Party” held at Kakamega Golf Club, which brought together all ODM MPs from the county on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Oparanya-barasa feud
The feud between Oparanya and Barasa became evident during the Kakamega Linda Ground chapter, where they were forced to hold different meetings in separate locations, both attended by ODM party leadership led by Oburu.
Oparanya, who enjoys the support of the majority of Kakamega MPs, held his Linda Ground meeting in Butere, where the event turned into a platform for harsh words against Fernandes Barasa. On the other hand, the county boss held his meeting in Kakamega town at a golf club, where Oburu also attended.
Oparanya endorses Muhanda
This saw Oparanya, who in 2022 endorsed and campaigned for Barasa while bypassing his then deputy who had similar ambitions, spell doom for Barasa’s re-election bid in 2027 and instead back Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda as his preferred gubernatorial candidate against the former KETRACO CEO.
Oparanya has been accusing the governor of being behind his woes with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which saw his houses ransacked and critical documents and items seized by officers.
He claimed that the governor was fuelling the investigations.
Nabwera-barasa feud
Fernandes Barasa is also not in sync with Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, with their feud emanating from the ODM Kakamega county elections, where Nabwera protested the outcome that declared the governor the duly elected county chairman.
Nabwera claimed that the elections were rigged in favour of Barasa, who later declared himself the Kakamega county chairman.
His feud with the governor also saw him join Oparanya at his home for the Linda Ground meeting, urging the party leadership to declare him as the legitimate county chairman.
Instead, Oburu went on to recognise Fernandes Barasa as the chairman of the party, something that angered Nabwera, who warned Oburu that if he continued in that manner, Kakamega County would not support him.