Sifuna Seeks Oparanya Blessing on Kakamega Tour
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna publicly appealed for the support of former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya during a grassroots mobilisation event in the region on Saturday.
The request came as the Linda Mwananchi team, led by Sifuna, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, intensified its outreach across Western areas. Speaking at a rally in Sabatia, Sifuna addressed Oparanya directly and described him as a father figure who had guided him within the Orange Democratic Movement.
“Oparanya, I respect you greatly, but today I have come to Sabatia to ask for your vote. If you support Sifuna, we will not lose,” the senator declared. He went further to emphasise that he was seeking only a blessing rather than material assistance. “I am asking you to bless me as I embark on this journey, even if you do not agree with me. Just your blessing, not money. I am not asking you for anything else. I know you, too, hear the cries of the people,” Sifuna added, underscoring his desire for moral endorsement amid differing political paths.
The Linda Mwananchi leaders arrived in Kakamega after an early morning meeting over tea and began their engagements in Sabatia, where they met a sizeable crowd of residents. From there the convoy was scheduled to proceed to Isulu Market and Shinyalu Market before culminating in a major rally in the Kakamega Central Business District. The visit forms part of a broader mobilisation drive that had taken the team to Busia County the previous day, with the clear aim of expanding grassroots presence and engaging voters on local concerns ahead of the 2027 general election.
Oparanya remains an influential political figure in the area after serving two terms as governor. He previously held the position of deputy party leader in the Orange Democratic Movement before joining President William Ruto’s Cabinet. In recent months his name has featured among those discussed as a possible running mate for the president, with some leaders publicly backing his suitability on the basis of experience, administrative record and regional influence.
The appeal by Sifuna highlights the complex personal and political relationships shaping preparations for the next polls. As the Linda Mwananchi team continues its tours across the region, the response from established figures such as Oparanya could influence the pace at which the group builds its support base. For now, the senator’s direct request has placed the former governor’s stance under renewed public attention while the mobilisation campaign presses forward.
