Oparanya accuses ODM’s top leadership of double-speak
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 24, 2026Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has accused the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) top leadership of double-speak.
While speaking during an Uwezo Fund programme in Shinyalu Constituency on Friday, January 23, 2025, he stated that at no point did the late Raila Odinga speak in different tongues, adding that his word always remained unchanged.
He went on to accuse some leaders within the ODM party of speaking one thing on one occasion and, when given small monetary incentives, changing their tune and saying something else.
Oparanya further stated that whenever Raila Odinga wanted to change a previous position, the former late prime minister would first consult widely before shifting his stance.
“Ile inaendeleaa kwa ODM. Na mimi nimekuwa karibu na Raila Odinga, na huzunika sana. Mambo ya pesa yameharibu viongozi; kiongozi akiwa hapa anaonea hili, akisonga hapa anabadilisha, kwa sababu amepewa pesa. Kichwa imechanganyika, anaongea mengine; hii mambo naona saa hii sikuona wakati wa marehemu Raila Odinga,” he said.
ODM Linda Ground Forum
This comes amid power struggles within the ODM party in Kakamega County, which were evident during the ODM Linda ground forums. One team led by Oparanya held a separate Linda Ground forum in Butere, while another team led by Governor Fernandes Barasa held a separate one in Kakamega town, with ODM party leader Oburu Odinga and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed spearheading both events.
During the Butere function, Oburu Odinga and Junet Mohammed recognised Lugari MP Nabil Nabwera as the ODM Kakamega County chairman, a position he has been wrestling with Governor Barasa over in recent months, following disputed party polls in 2025 where Barasa emerged the winner. Nabwera protested the outcome, insisting that he is the rightful winner.
When Oburu and Junet went to Kakamega town to grace the function organised by the county governor, they again recognised Barasa as the ODM chairman in Kakamega, emphasising that according to the election results, Barasa was the winner.
Nabwera slams Oburu
Nabil Nabwera, alongside other MPs allied to Oparanya, also spoke during the same forum, where he slammed Oburu over his change of stance and accused him of speaking from both sides of his mouth.
The MP went bare-knuckle on the party leader, warning him that the loyalty Kakamega MPs and ODM supporters had for Raila Odinga is not transferable to him, and that he must work hard to earn it.
He wondered how Oburu could recognise him as the ODM party chair only moments later for him to change tune