Karua Questions Oparanya’s Arrest
Martha Karua, the leader of the NARC Kenya Party, claims she was prevented from meeting with former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya after his detention on August 23 by officers of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
Thursday, the Azimio Principal disclosed in a statement that she and other attorneys had attempted to gain access to the Governor at Integrity Centre, but were reportedly blocked by officers.
Even as politicians from the opposition Azimio coalition protested, the former Gichugu MP asserted that EACC officers dictated who could meet with the ODM Deputy Party Leader.
The EACC issued a statement hours after the arrest alleging that the former county chief was arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of over Ksh1.3 billion in public funds during his tenure as Kakamega Governor.
“You acted in a shady manner and exploited your authority during his arrest and detention. You denied us access to Oparanya at your offices as attorneys and dictated who could and could not see him, thus violating the law, she claimed.
“As public officials, you must follow the law. Is your assertion true and precise, or is it political?”
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According to the EACC, the arrest of Oparanya and subsequent searches on his homes in Nairobi and Western were legal, despite the agency’s efforts to discourage leaders from politicizing the situation.
Oparanya was summoned to Integrity House to state the alleged loss of funds. However, he was subsequently released.
Nonetheless, the former governor will be required to appear for further interrogation in the coming days before a file with recommended charges is presented to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Oparanya was accompanied during his detention by Senator Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi, Attorneys Danstan Omari and Ndeewa Njiru, and other Azimio leaders.
Omari, representing Oparanya, criticized his client’s arrest and equated it to political intimidation.
“Without a search warrant, they conducted house raids and even arrested the spouses. This has never been the case. Omari stated that he would communicate with Azimio to receive instructions to dissolve the EACC.
Karua Questions Oparanya’s Arrest
