This archive report was first published on 31 December 2021.
On the eve of the New Year 2022, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya was unveiled as the new Luhya nation spokesman in a ceremony held at the historic Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County.
The announcement was made by the Luhya Elders Forum Secretary, Peter Ludaba, during an Azimio La Umoja meeting, where several community leaders, including One Kenya Alliance (OKA) co-principals Musalia Mudavadi and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula, boycotted the event.
According to the elders, Oparanya was unanimously chosen to lead the Western Kenya Region community, with whom Raila Odinga, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, would form the government and negotiate on the community's stakes.
Chairman Patrick Wangamati, the Secretariat, and patron Francis Atwoli signed the resolution, which pledged that the Luhya community would only back candidates fielded under the Azimio La Umoja movement, with Odinga as the community's presidential candidate.
During the meeting, several MPs and MCAs ditched Ford Kenya and Amani National Congress (ANC) party for Odinga's ODM, vowing to support his presidential bid.
