Nairobi News

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating former Kakamega County governor Wycliffe Oparanya for the alleged embezzlement of Sh 1.3 billion of public funds while he was county boss.

In their Wednesday, August 23, 2023 statement, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said Mr Oparanya was taken to the EACC offices where he recorded a statement in relation to the investigations.

“The Commission conducted a successful search on various targets as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of embezzlement of public funds amounting to over Sh 1.3 billion from Kakamega County during the reign of former governor Wycliffe Oparanya, and where it was found that public funds were unlawfully acquired through proxies and associates,” said Mr Mohamud.

He went on, “The Kakamega County investigation is part of numerous high-impact investigations into loss of public funds that the Commission is undertaking in various County Governments which are at different stages.”

Upon completion of the investigation, the files will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commission will also file civil proceedings for recovery of public funds if investigations reveal the funds were unlawfully acquired.

Earlier this morning, Mr Oparanya and his two wives were sought out and taken to the EACC headquarters at Integrity Center in Nairobi where they was required to clarify several issues to the investigating team as well as record statements.

Mr Oparanya’s homes were raised and several documents taken away by the investigating officers. Several of Mr Oparanya’s Azimio La Umoja colleagues voiced concern for the ODM deputy party leader and expressed solidarity with him amid claims Oparanya is undergoing a political witch hunt.

On the flip side, Kenya Kwanza’s Kakamenga County Senator Boni Khalwale claimed he was waiting with bated breath for the prosecution of Mr Oparanya as evidenced in several of his publicized utterances.

“Oparanya is headed to court! With bated breath, Kakamega is keyed up on the fate of multimillion scandals at Bukhungu Stadium, Itumbeni dairy plant, County Referral Hosp, Shiamakhubu Hosp, non existent Imatala Tea Factory, & the unpaid MSC farmers Ksh 200m. Haki yetu!