Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya was met with a chilly reception in Mombasa as Coastal leaders opted to stay away from his gathering. Notably, politicians who had previously thrown their support behind Mr. Joho's aspiration to be the party's presidential candidate in 2027 did not attend Oparanya's event, leaving him isolated. The former governor was accompanied solely by his allies from Kakamega, Busia, and Vihiga.
Busia Governor Paul Otwoma, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Nominated Senator Crystal Asige, Kakamega Woman Rep Elsie Muhanda, and Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe were among those in attendance.
Addressing the gathering at Makupa Hall in Mvita Constituency, Oparanya expressed gratitude to those who showed up and urged his competitor to explore other regions of the country as well.
He added: “Today, I am in the backyard of [former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho] and I have received a warm welcome. This is what we call democracy and I urge him [Mr Joho] to feel free to move to any part of the country to [also campaign for the ODM party leader post].”
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Joho has been actively campaigning for his candidacy, focusing primarily on the Coastal region. Notable leaders who have thrown their support behind him include the outspoken Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, Kwale Senator Boy Juma Boy, Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, Kilifi Woman Rep Getrude Mbeyu, Mombasa Woman Rep Zamzam Mohamed, as well as MPs Mishi Mboko, Rashid Benzimba (Kisauni), Harrison Kombe (Magarini), and Mvita MP Machele Mohamed.
