Ex-Kakamega Governor Oparanya and Wife Arrested By EACC
Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his wife Priscillah Oparanya were arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) after raids of their Nairobi and Kakamega residences, according to a statement released by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Wednesday.
Officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) interrogated the former governor at the Integrity Centre in Nairobi.
ODM did not reveal any additional information regarding the case, including the cause for his arrest or whether his attorneys were already en route to seek his release.
“Our DPL Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, has been detained by DCI agents,” ODM stated in a statement that Oparanya and his wife Madam Priscillah are presently at the EACC offices at Integrity Centre.
“No information has been provided as to why they were arrested and why they are being questioned,” ODM, a coalition party, said.
Oparanya, who is also the deputy party leader of the ODM, served as the governor of Kakamega for two mandates between 2013 and 2022.
He has consistently supported opposition leader Raila Odinga, even after the election loss in August 2022, when some leaders switched allegiances.
This is the second occasion this year that the former governor has been arrested. In July, Oparanya was detained on charges of organizing anti-government demonstrations in Western Kenya.
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Wednesday, he was among the leaders who were absent from Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, as opposition politicians commemorated the 20th anniversary of the death of former Vice President Michael Wamalwa Kijana.
In memory of Kijana Wamalwa, the area governor and Eugene Wamalwa, Kijana’s brother and DAP-K party leader, renamed the Trans Nzoia County Teaching and Referral Hospital as the Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital.
“At the residence of the late Vice President Michael Wamalwa in Milimani Kitale, rendering respects before Holy Mass. Natembeya stated, “I join the family in celebrating the life of this great leader who steadfastly championed democracy and ensured a level playing field in politics.”
George Wajackoyah, leader of the Roots Party and presidential candidate for 2022, and Mwangi wa Iria, leader of the Usawa kwa Wote Party, were also present at the occasion.
The recent detention of Oparanya also precedes President William Ruto’s tour of Western Kenya from August 27-30.
On Saturday, August 19, leaders from Western Kenya met Ruto at the State House in Nairobi, where they discussed various issues about development projects, reviving defunct industries, and strengthening the UDA party in the region.
The dignitaries from the counties of Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, and Busia were led by Cleophas Malala, secretary general of the UDA and former senator from Kakamega.
Ex-Kakamega Governor Oparanya and Wife Arrested By EACC