Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his wife Priscillah Oparanya were arrested on Wednesday morning by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in connection with alleged corruption and abuse of office.
The officers raided the couple’s homes in Lang’ata, Nairobi and Emabole village, Butere and seized several documents and electronic devices.
Among the items confiscated was a Mac computer that the officers found at the house of Mr Oparanya in Lang’ata.
They were then taken to the EACC offices at Integrity Centre for questioning.
The EACC has not disclosed the specific charges against the former governor and his wife, but sources say they are related to the misappropriation of funds during his tenure as the governor of Kakamega County between 2013 and 2022.
BREAKING: Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his wife Priscillah Oparanya arrested on Wednesday morning by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in connection with alleged corruption and… pic.twitter.com/YXHHup4UDF
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) August 23, 2023
BREAKING: EACC officers raid Lang'ata home of former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya (in blue suit). His rural home at Emabole village, Butere was also raided on Wednesday morning. pic.twitter.com/oeetbA52qA
— Nation Africa (@NationAfrica) August 23, 2023
Oparanya, who is also the deputy party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has denied any wrongdoing and accused his political rivals of orchestrating a witch-hunt against him.
He said he was ready to cooperate with the investigators and clear his name.
Oparanya served as the governor of Kakamega County for two terms and was succeeded by Fernandes Barasa in 2022.
He is also a former Minister of Planning and National Development and a former Member of Parliament for Butere constituency.
