Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Odinga has brokered a truce between Cooperatives and SMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa after days of wrangles.

In a peace meeting dubbed “Unity for the Party” held at Kakamega Golf Club, which brought together all ODM MPs from the county and the two leaders on Monday, May 11, 2026, the meeting was meant to end the conflict that had existed for over a year.

According to a statement shared by the party, the meeting was meant to solidify party unity and was also attended by ODM deputy party leader Simba Arati and the party’s director of elections Junet Mohammed.

“UNITY FOR THE PARTY: Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga today chaired a meeting that brought together leadership from Kakamega County led by former DPL Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya and Governor Fernandes Barasa, who is also the County Chairman of the party.”

“The meeting was aimed at solidifying the party in Kakamega County and cementing its base as a stronghold of the ODM party.”

“Party Members of Parliament from the county attended the meeting, where they were told to work together, pull together, and hold periodic meetings that will strengthen the party. DPL H.E. Hon. Simba Arati and Director of Elections Hon. Junet Mohammed also attended the meeting.”

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 throwing a war of words at Fernandes Barasa. On the other hand, the county boss held his meeting in Kakamega town at the 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.

The two leaders were seeing shaking hands as a sign of end of the conflict