Western Politicians Plan to Replace Mudavadi as Luhya Spokesman with Oparanya

Political leaders from Western Kenya have devised a plan to remove Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi as the Luhya spokesman and replace him with Wycliffe Oparanya, the ODM deputy party leader and former Kakamega Governor.

Critics accuse Mudavadi of abandoning the community by supporting President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Coalition.

The plan was revealed on Friday by leaders Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K party leader), Oparanya, George Wajackoya (Roots Party), Caleb Hamisi (Saboti MP), Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, and Luanda MP Dickson Maungu. They believe that Mudavadi has failed to champion the rights of the community.

According to them, Mudavadi’s support for the Kenya Kwanza government, which has imposed burdensome taxes on citizens, indicates that he has forgotten his role as a spokesman. They consider it a betrayal for Mudavadi to rally behind some MPs from the House of Mulembe to vote for the Finance Bill without considering its negative impact on the people of the Western region.

“We are organizing a big rally where we shall declare the removal of Mudavadi as Luhya spokesman and endorse Wycliffe Oparanya as our new spokesperson. Mudavadi has failed us by supporting the Kenya Kwanza government, which has imposed punitive taxes on our people,” said Wamalwa.

The leaders expressed disappointment that the politicians from Western, whom voters trusted to represent their interests, are prioritizing personal benefits over the electorate.

“It is a big betrayal for the leaders you elected to represent your interests to pursue their own benefits. Such leaders are of no importance to you,” said Osotsi.

This is not the first time Mudavadi is facing opposition as the Luhya spokesman. He was previously replaced as Luhya Kingpin on December 31, 2016, and Oparanya was installed as the new Luhya spokesman in a ceremony organized by Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega County. Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula, who was then the Bungoma senator, boycotted the event.