UDA’s Malala, Oparanya ignite Mulembe Nation unity agenda at Nairobi meeting
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala and former Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya have re-ignited the Mulembe Nation unity agenda.
Malala and Oparanya who is the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party leader met on Friday, June 21, 2024, at a hotel in Nairobi.
The two political opponents met to discuss the Western region issues, which Malala says included the unity and socio-economic agenda.
"Regardless of our political orientation this afternoon, I spent some time with former Kakamega Governor Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya in Nairobi. Our conversation centred around the unity and socio-economic agenda of the Mulembe Nation," Malala stated through his official X account.
Regardless of our political orientation this afternoon, I spent some time with former Kakamega Governor Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya in Nairobi.
Our conversation centred around the unity and socio-economic agenda of the Mulembe Nation. pic.twitter.com/Pu5baI6T3y— Cleo Malalah (@Cleophasmalala) June 21, 2024
Malala and Oparanya have been political enemies for a long time, with their differences dating back to the time when Malala served as Member of County Assembly in Kakamega between 2013 and 2017.
Oparanya-Malala political differences
Malala put Opranya on toes when he served as the Kakamega County Senator between 2017 and 2022, at the time the ODM Deputy Party Leader was serving his second and last term as a governor.
In 2022, Malala vied for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat and was opposed by Oparanya who endorsed and supported the current Governor Fernandes Barasa.
Oparanya and Malala are, however, not the first leaders from the Western Kenya region to ignite the unity agenda.
Wetang'ula unity call
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula on Thursday, June 6, 2024, met over 60 Kakamega MCAs to discuss regional matters.
The issue of regional unity dominated the meeting with leaders advocating for togetherness in advancing their issues.
"I held a consultative meeting with over 60 MCAs from Kakamega County to discuss regional matters, inclusive of how to unify the community," part of a statement by Wetang'ula read.
In the meeting, the National Assembly Speaker indicated that discussions were focused on how to legalize the ward fund to help MCAs carry out their duties effectively.
"We also discussed specific issues touching on the County Assembly such as how to constitutionalise the Ward Fund, Pension, Independence of the County Assembly and gazettement of the Kakamega Level Six Referral Hospital," Wetang'ula added.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, however, expressed displeasure and blasted Wetang'ula after he reiterated his calls for Western unity.
Khalwale claimed Wetangula's meeting with Kakamega MCAs was merely an attempt to create the impression of being the region's kingpin through diplomatic statements and photos.
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