Prime cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi and other leaders dancing at a UDA grassroot event in Butula, Busia on 9th August 2026
Western Kenya cannot make a serious run for the presidency until it first builds its economic strength.
That’s according to Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.
Speaking at a public empowerment event in Busia County on Saturday, 8th August 2026, Oparanya said economic empowerment is the foundation for the region to compete effectively in national presidential politics.
He also urged residents to embrace savings and credit cooperative societies. According to him, SACCOs and cooperatives are key tools for communities to pool resources, invest, and improve livelihoods.
He added that the government, working with financial institutions and other stakeholders, has rolled out measures to strengthen cooperatives and expand access to affordable credit.
Cooperatives Cs Wycliffe Oparanya addressing a congregation in Busia on 9th August 2026
On the political side, the prime cabinet secretary challenged the Linda Mwananchi team that constitutionally, for one to win a presidential seat, one is supposed to get more than 25% of votes in 24 counties out of the 47 counties constitutionally in Kenya. “Let us not lie to ourselves; our unity between ODM and UDA is a winning formula in 2027,” Mudavadi said.
According to Musalia, Raila Odinga used to get over 6.5 million votes against President William Ruto with over 6.7 million votes, summing up to over 13 million votes, a gesture which he says even if 3 or 2 million votes are taken by their opponents, they will still win the 2027 general election.
On the other hand, Oparanya responded to Edwin Sifuna’s remarks while in Butere on Saturday, 8th August 2026, about Oparanya’s blessings to climb a presidential seat, telling him that blessings are given orderly, not on the road after, discussing the potentials since he also has a political thought once they have a sit down. “Blessings are not given when you are talking on the road; it is necessary to discuss so that we can analyze where you have come from and where you are heading.” Oparanya responded on a different venue.
The event was also attended by Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, Teso South MP Mary Emase, and Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali, among other leaders.