Kakamega Deputy Governor Savula Tells CS Oparanya to Focus on National Role

Kakamega County Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has publicly urged Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya to step back from county politics and concentrate on his national responsibilities. Speaking at an event in Lugari on September 7, 2025, Savula criticized Oparanya for frequent involvement in local political disputes—insisting that as a national figure, the CS should channel his energy into national leadership rather than revisiting his county past.
Savula accused Oparanya of interfering in Kakamega’s internal affairs, particularly pointing to the recent ODM County Delegates Conference, where he claimed the CS attempted to influence the outcome by backing his preferred candidates. He reminded Oparanya of his long service in the county—as an MP and former governor—and suggested it was time to be a national leader, drawing a contrast with other national figures like National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who he praised for operating beyond local constituencies.
The remarks come amidst a growing rift between Oparanya and the current county leadership under Governor Fernandes Barasa. Savula’s comments reflect the tension in ODM’s Kakamega chapter and raise broader questions about the role of national leaders in county politics.
Looking ahead, the public challenge from Savula could force Oparanya to clarify how he balances his national duties with continued involvement in Kakamega. As political fault lines sharpen ahead of the 2027 election cycle, what happens next could redefine his stature both in the county and on the national stage.