By Nyanza Wire 
Former ODM Deputy Party Leader CS Wycliffe Oparanya is set to leave ODM for DAP Kenya, bolstering his long held ambition of leading a ‘luhya party’.
Oparanya had been touted by Raila to lead ODM but had been overshadowed by the more popular Hassan Joho, another ODM Deputy Party Leader.
When exiting ODM for Ruto’s cabinet, Oparanya had recommended Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi to ‘act’ on his behalf; while Joho recommended Abdulswamad Nassir, the governor of Mombasa. Raila had allowed the two a free hand to pick their replacements in the upper ranks of the ODM party.
Oparanya’s exit from ODM to DAP-K puts ODM’s Kakamega Governor on the edge, as the two are likely to renew their turf wars which has derailed ODM in Kakamega.
Oparanya’s math started collapsing with the passing of Raila Odinga, who had anchored him in the Ruto government. Within government, Oparanya is well known to be lukewarm towards Ruto’s re-election, and had been pushing Raila to back him in 2027.
When Raila passed, Oparanya quickly re-pledged loyalty to President Ruto, but only as a smokescreen.
Sources tell this writer Oparanya is set to become the Party Leader of DAP-K, and will declare a presidential bid later on the party.
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