Natembeya claims plot to force Oparanya out of ODM and Cabinet to split Western vote
By Mustafa Juma, May 22, 2026Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has claimed that there is a political scheme aimed at pushing Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya out of both the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and the Cabinet in order to divide the Western Kenya vote ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an event on Friday, May 22, 2026, Natembeya claimed that certain forces are planning to engineer Oparanya’s exit from government and position him as a presidential contender to weaken opposition unity in the region.
Scheme to split Western vote
According to the Trans Nzoia governor, the purported plan is intended to create divisions within ODM and the broader opposition by encouraging the formation of a separate Western Kenya political bloc.
He claimed that the ultimate goal is to have Oparanya align with disgruntled ODM figures and launch a separate presidential movement by seeking sympathy votes.
“Sasa saa hizi wanapanga njama, na ninataka Oparanya ndugu yangu asikie kwa sababu ako ndani ya hiyo njama, wanataka kukorogana kule kidogo ifanywe kwamba wamemfukuza na ati amefutwa kazi ili atoke akuje huku nje atafute sympathy,” Natembeya claimed.
“Waseme kwamba yeye alikuwa kwa ODM, sasa ashikane na watu wengine wa ODM wale ambao wanapigana, ati waseme yakwamba wanakuwa na presidential candidate wao. Nia yao wanataka kugawanya western.”
Natembeya dismisses rift with Sifuna
The governor also sought to dismiss reports of tension between himself and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, insisting that opposition leaders remain united despite occasional disagreements.
“Sifuna ni ndugu yangu, tunapingana kwa sababu gani? Tunajua shida yetu ni Ruto,” Natembeya said.
He added that the opposition’s main focus remains challenging President William Ruto and not internal fights among allies.
“Hata kama tuko na tofauti ya aina gani, tukikumbuka tu Ruto tunakuwa united,” he stated.
Growing succession politics in Western Kenya
Natembeya’s remarks come weeks after Oparanya expressed concern that internal disagreements and leadership disputes within ODM were making it increasingly difficult to mobilise support in the region, particularly amid tensions surrounding Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Oparanya warned that ODM risks losing popularity in Western Kenya if the perceived sidelining of leaders continues. He argued that grassroots supporters were increasingly uneasy about internal disciplinary actions affecting leaders from the region.
The former ODM deputy party leader suggested that such developments were weakening ODM’s mobilisation efforts at the grassroots level, especially among young leaders and local party structures.
Several leaders have in recent weeks publicly disagreed over internal decisions affecting senior figures, including removals and reshuffles within party and parliamentary structures.
Western Kenya remains a key political stronghold for ODM, and recent statements by leaders from the region suggest growing sensitivity over perceived marginalisation within the party.