Wycliffe Oparanya Demands EACC Retract ‘Unfit’ Declaration: “Cease and Desist!”
Cooperatives Cabinet secretary nominee Wycliffe Oparanya has written to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) demanding that they retract a statement in which they claimed he was unfit to hold public office.
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, Oparanya wants the EACC chief executive officer Twalib Mbarak, and other commissioners to stop harassing and threatening him.
Is Oparanya fit to hold public office?
The former Kakamega governor claims the threats relate to the commission pressing criminal charges against him.
“It is our instructions to demand, which we hereby do, that you retract or cause to be retracted your communication to the clerk of the National Assembly dated July 29, 2024, immediately with the same publicity and notoriety,” read part of the letter seen by Gossipa2z.com.
“Further, that you cease and desist from harassing our client with unsubstantiated threats of charging him for corruption in a bid to stop him from offering his services to the people of Kenya without fear or favor,” it added.
Oparanya argues that there is a consensus that the High Court in Kakamega granted conservatory orders staying any arrest or prosecution against him based on information obtained by the EACC.
The latest demand from the former county boss comes a day after the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions wrote to the EACC indicating that evidence provided over graft allegations against Oparanya was not sufficient.
EACC has since differed from the ODPP on the matter.
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Meanwhile, Oparanya’a lawyers accused the anti-graft agency of maliciously targeting their client with ulterior motives.
The lawyers warned that if the commission fails to retract its letter to the National Assembly, he will institute legal proceedings against it.
“Take notice that failure to heed to our demands, we have strict instructions to institute proceedings against yourselves jointly and severally as individuals exercising personal interests to the detriment of respect of the rule of law and that of the constitution of Kenya,” the letter stated.
When will Oparanya be vetted?
Oparanya was nominated to serve as Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development by President William Ruto.
However, in a letter dated July 29, EACC wrote to the clerk of the National Assembly expressing reservations over his nomination.
The former governor will appear before the vetting committee on Sunday, August 4.
Oparanya’s nomination as CS challenged
Previously, Gossipa2z.com reported that Nairobi activist Peter Agoro had written to EACC to inquire about the status of corruption cases against Oparanya.
In a letter dated Friday, July 26, Agoro requested the EACC provide him with detailed information on the progress of corruption cases against Oparanya.
He pointed out that the information he was seeking was essential in holding the CS nominee accountable and maintaining the integrity of the office he aims to occupy, as outlined in Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Wycliffe Oparanya Demands EACC Retract ‘Unfit’ Declaration: “Cease and Desist!”
