Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has now endorsed former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya for the Orange Democratic Movement party leader position.
He said Oparanya was the rightful leader to succeed Raila once he gets the Africa Union Commission chairmanship.
“Sisi kama viongozi wa mkoa magharibi na pia viongozi wa chama cha ODM tunaendelea kuunga mkono azma ya Raila Amollo Odinga kuwa the chairman of African Union Commission," he said.
“Tunaambia baba we are behind you 100 per cent, tunaendelea kukuombea, na baba akienda African Union the only loyal deputy party leader ambaye tunataka achukue hicho kiti cha kuwa party leader wa ODM is none other than Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya.”
(As leaders from the Western region and ODM party leaders, we’ll continue supporting Raila’s quest of being the chairman of the AU Commission).
(Baba should know we are behind him 100 per cent, we’ll keep praying for you, and if he goes to the AU the only loyal deputy party leader whom we want to inherit his position as the ODM party leader is none other than Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya).
Raila announced his bid for the AU top job and has been lobbying heads of state and governments to support his quest to succeed Moussa Faki in February 2025.
The AU Commission chairperson's job is a demanding role that demands its occupants to remain politically neutral during their tenure. It is a four-year term renewable once.
Raila clarified that his AU bid does not amount to quitting politics in the country as he will be still around to provide leadership and advance the opposition agenda.
"I am not going anywhere. Addis Ababa is just two hours from here, I can come and sleep here in Kisii, fly there in the morning, work and come back in the evening. I will be with you here and whatever you demand, I will honour," Raila said on Thursday.
