Oparanya endorses Elsie Muhanda’s Kakamega County gubernatorial bid
By Mabonga Makhanu, September 6, 2025Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Cooperatives, Wycliffe Oparanya, has endorsed Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda for the county gubernatorial race in 2027.
While speaking in Shikuyu, Ikolomani, on Friday, September 5, 2025, the former governor threw his weight behind Muhanda as he went heavily on the incumbent governor, Fernandes Barasa, wondering what Kakamega residents really based their decision on before electing him as their governor.
“Mnaleta mkora kama yule mlichagua hapa; sijui watu waliangalia wapi. Unashangaa watu waliangalia wapi,” Oparanya stated.
He gave his personal experience with Muhanda, stating that she was first introduced to him by Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali long ago while he was still serving as Minister for Planning in President Mwai Kibaki’s cabinet. Oparanya later appointed her as a commissioner in the Committee on Poverty Eradication.
After being elected as governor, Oparanya stated that he appointed Muhanda as the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Health. Later, when she shared her ambitions to contest for the Kakamega Woman Representative seat, he reassigned her to the trade docket that would have allowed her to traverse the whole county and engage directly with citizens.
“Wakati nilikuwa Waziri wa Mipango nilimweka kwa Poverty Eradication Committee kama commissioner; huyu Shinyali ndio alinijuliza kwa Elsie.”
According to Oparanya, based on his past experiences with Muhanda, she is best suited for the county job and the one to succeed Barasa, who is doing his first term in office.
Oparanya assured Muhanda of his full support as she eyes the gubernatorial seat, wishing her success in her quest for the county’s top job.
“Amekuwa Woman Rep, saa hii ameniambia anataka kuwa Governor, nikasema sawa, I wish you all the success nikiwa na wewe,” he added.
On her part, the woman representative took to social media to thank the former governor for his support.
Kakamega gubernatorial race
In the run-up to the 2022 general election, Oparanya was the one who brought Fernandez Barasa to the political scene, who had then resigned as the chairman of KETRACO to vie for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat.
At that point, even his deputy, who had deputised for 10 years, was also then interested in succeeding his boss, but Oparanya overlooked him for Barasa. Shortly after the election, the fallout between the two began to emerge, with Oparanya attacking them openly.
The Kakamega gubernatorial race has now attracted three candidates: the incumbent governor, Barasa; Senator Boni Khalwale, who remains adamant about unseating the governor; and DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, who has also expressed interest in the seat.
Recently, Khalwale received support from Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who endorsed him for the seat, saying that he is the best suited for the seat.