Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has urged Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary and former governor Wycliffe Oparanya to concentrate on national politics and leave county politics alone.

Speaking during an event in Lugari on Sunday, September 7, 2025, Savula criticised the CS, saying he is always preoccupied with local politics and rarely steps outside Kakamega despite being a national leader.

Savula added that Oparanya’s time in Kakamega politics was over, noting that he had already served as an MP for 10 years and as governor for another 10 years. He argued that the CS should now be eyeing national positions such as the presidency instead of interfering with the work of the current governor, whom he himself influenced voters to elect.

He further urged Oparanya to emulate National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who regularly travels across the country to attend functions with other national leaders, unlike Oparanya, who is constantly moving from one sub-county to another, attacking Governor Fernandes Barasa.

Savula also accused Oparanya of having vested interests in the recently concluded ODM Kakamega County Delegates Conference, where, according to Savula, he pushed for Nabii Nabwera to be elected chairman. However, Barasa still won the position despite Oparanya’s influence. Savula insisted that Oparanya should step aside and focus on the national stage.

“Mimi nashukuru, Speaker Moses Wetangula. Unaskia ako Wajir anafanya kazi. Unaskia ako Mombasa anafanya kazi, lakini hapa Kakamega what is happening? Oparanya, umekuwa mjumbe for 10 years; umekuwa governor for 10 years. Wewe, saa hii ni. Focus kwa kazi yako kama waziri. Hapana zunguka tu hapa leo uko Butere, unasema governor hafanyi kazi. Wewe, be a national leader, ufanye kazi yako kama CS.”

Oparanya-Barasa fallout

The remarks come amid a fallout between Oparanya and Governor Fernandes Barasa, a man he strongly supported in the 2022 General Election to succeed him. Oparanya overlooked his then deputy, who had deputised him for 10 years and also had ambitions to succeed him, opting instead to back Barasa, who was serving at KETRACO at the time.

On Friday, Oparanya, while speaking at an event in Ikolomani, endorsed County Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda to succeed him in 2027.

He also launched a scathing attack on Barasa, accusing him of failing Kakamega residents during his tenure and questioning why locals voted for him into office. Oparanya vowed to support Muhanda’s gubernatorial bid in 2027.