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Tag: ODM Deputy Party leader Wycliffe Oparanya

  • ODM members co-opted to Ruto cabinet didn’t get party blessings – Sifuna

    ODM members co-opted to Ruto cabinet didn’t get party blessings – Sifuna

    The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) did not endorse four of it’s members who were nominated to be part of President William Ruto’s Cabinet on Wednesday. The party’s spokesperson and Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has said.

    Ruto unveiled the party’s high-ranking officials namely; John Mbadi (Chairman), Hassan Joho (Deputy Party Leader), Wycliffe Oparanya (Deputy Party Leader) and Opiyo Wandayi (Minority Leader National Assembly) as nominees to the helm of the Ministries of Treasury, Mining, Cooperatives and Energy respectively, after dissolutin of his first cabinet.

    But Sifuna insists, the orange party did not front the four given that the Raila Odinga-led political formation has not established a working relationship with the ruling party.

    “ODM did not endorse Mbadi, Joho, Oparanya, and Wandayi, but we knew those negotiating with President Ruto. These members were nominated in their capacity and without the party’s blessing,” Sifuna said during a TV interview with Citizen TV.

    The four ODM members were among the 10 additional nominees who the President nominated Wednesday afternoon during the State of the Nation address at State House, Nairobi.

    Following the nominations of Mbadi, Joho, Oparanya and Wandayi, Senator Sifuna indicated that he expects them to tender their resignations, effectively relinguishing their positions in the party.

    He further indicated that it was highly-unlikely for the ODM leader Raila Odinga to present names of persons to be considered for nomination into cabinet without taking into consideration their gender.

    “There is no way Raila would present only male nominees for the CS position. It was not his decision.” Sifuna noted.

    “If ODM resolved to get into a government of national unity with UDA, I would say it. I don’t speak for myself but for the party. I am not afraid of Ruto and Raila. I am not a coward,” reiterated Sifuna

    Also read https://www.kbc.co.ke/four-odm-stalwarts-set-to-join-rutos-broad-based-cabinet/

  • Oparanya dismisses existence of factions within ODM party

    Oparanya dismisses existence of factions within ODM party

    The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party leader Wycliffe Oparanya has dismissed allegations that there are factions within the party.

    Speaking to the press during a courtesy call to Busia Governor Paul Otuoma at his office, Oparanya argued that those are rumors being peddled around by people who do not mean well to the party.

    “Ladies and gentlemen there is nothing of the sort, the party is intact, maybe some people want to be relevant by saying factions are there,” he said, adding that the party is intact under the leadership of Raila Odinga.

    Oparanya added that no member of the party has launched political campaigns since the recruitment exercise is still ongoing.

    “No campaigns can be carried out unless grassroots elections have been carried out and the delegates knew,” he said, adding that members have to wait until party elections are carried out from the grassroots to the County level.

    The former Governor of Kakamega further said that no party member is ready to engage in succession politics over the party leader Raila Odinga adding that the seat has not been declared vacant.

    “The issue of the African Union Commission is one year away, so how can we start discussing issues of succession and Raila is still there,” he asked.

    Busia Governor Paul Otuoma on his part reiterated that it was still early for party members to start engaging in succession politics when the party leader has not relinquished the seat.

    “I think members should concentrate on recruitment as they prepare for the grassroots elections scheduled for April this year,” he said.

    Otuoma added that the ODM party is still very strong and will continue to be strong in the Western region.

    The two leaders lauded Busia ODM party leadership for ensuring that they registered many members in the party adding that County registration stands at  70% making it the highest across the country.

    Oparanya was accompanied by a section of Azimio la Umoja leaders and Members of Busia County Assembly.