Corruption ghosts from his time as governor haunts Oparanya

The nomination of former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to be the Cabinet Secretary for the ministry of Cooperatives and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development has hit a brick wall after Ethics and Anti corruption Commission (EACC) wrote to the Parliamentary committee on appointments to halt Oparanya’s nomination citing corruption allegations against him.

According to EACC, Oparanya has an active case in court where he’s is accused of conspiracy to commit corruption, conflict of interest, abuse of office and money laundering.

The alleged offenses leveled against Oparanya dates back to his tenure in office as Kakamega Governor between 2013 and 2022.

The anti corruption body stated in a letter seen by JEDCA MEDIA that they have obtained orders to freeze some Ksh28,900,000 belonging to the governor which are suspected to be proceeds of corruption.

Oparanya is one of the four opposition leaders nominated by President William Ruto to the cabinet following the dissolution of cabinet last month.

The 2010 constitution requires that any person being nominated to hold a public office must have unquestionable character and be a person of integrity.

Also read: Monkeypox reported in Kenya: what’s the cause?

Chapter six of the constitution on Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012 states that a state/public officer shall not among other things “use his office for personal gains and misuse of public resources.”

The ODM deputy party leader is expected to appear before Parliamentary committee on appointments on Sunday (4th August) to be grilled on integrity and suitability to hold public office.