Oparanya denies claims of meddling in Kakamega County affairs
By Mabonga Makhanu, September 23, 2025Cooperatives and SMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has dismissed claims of interfering in Kakamega County affairs.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, September 22, 2025, Oparanya clarified that his focus remains on his national duties as a Cabinet Secretary, adding that he has no involvement in the county’s internal matters.
He emphasised that he is not in rivalry with the Kakamega governor and has no personal or political business with him.
“What is it there in Kakamega for me to be involved? I have enough work as Cabinet Secretary in charge of cooperatives; I have nothing to do with Kakamega, but sometimes when they see me around, they see waves.”
.According to Oparanya, his interest in Kakamega is purely as a resident who expects development, noting that the governor has the responsibility to deliver for the people. He maintained that while the governor may seek his advice when necessary, he does not require any direct engagement or relationship with the county leadership.
The CS added that Kakamega remains his home and eventual retirement place; hence, his concern is only that the county leadership focuses on service delivery.
“I have no business with the Kakamega governor; we are not rivals. I don’t need a relationship with a governor. As long as he is serving me, there is no other relationship I need.”
“There is nothing that I can go to him for, but he can come to me for advice. I can’t go for employment as long as he is doing development for me because that is my country; that is where I will retire,” he said.
Oparanya-Barasa feud
This comes after days of back and forth between the two; the CS recently even blamed his successor for being behind his battles with EACC.
“Hii mambo ya kijana wetu. Mnajua ya kwamba yule alibeba files kupeleka EACC, si mnajua. Na ata kama Oparanya alikuwa mwizi, muangalie ile vitu tulifanya hapa, hiyo miaka yote. Ni kama wana ushaidi, Oparanya nimeiba waende mbele, I don’t fear anybody,” he told residents.
The former Kakamega governor defended his record in office, insisting he had not stolen public money during his ten-year tenure.
He argued that his legacy was visible through projects carried out in the county. He further questioned why his name was being dragged into local politics when he had moved on to serve the national government