Nairobi, August 23, 2023 - The former Governor of Kakamega, Wycliffe Oparanya, and his wife, Priscillah Oparanya, have been arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), as confirmed by a statement released by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Wednesday.
The ODM statement revealed that both Oparanya and his wife were detained following raids on their residences in Nairobi and Kakamega. Subsequently, Wycliffe Oparanya was subjected to questioning by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) at the Integrity Centre in Nairobi.
Despite the arrest, the ODM statement refrained from disclosing additional details about the case, leaving the public uninformed about the grounds for the arrest and the potential involvement of legal representation for Oparanya's release.
The statement from ODM read, "Our DPL Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has been arrested by officers from the DCI. Oparanya together with his wife Madam Priscillah are currently at the EACC offices at Integrity Centre."
The party further expressed its puzzlement regarding the situation, stating, "No information has been given as to why they have been arrested & why they are being questioned." ODM, which operates as part of the Azimio coalition, remained uncertain about the motives behind the arrest.
Wycliffe Oparanya, a former two-term Kakamega governor spanning from 2013 to 2022, is also the deputy party leader of ODM. He has consistently shown support for opposition leader Raila Odinga, remaining steadfast even after the electoral defeat in August 2022, which prompted some political figures to shift their allegiances.
This year's arrest marks the second time Oparanya has been taken into custody. In July, he faced allegations of orchestrating anti-government protests in Western Kenya, resulting in his arrest.
Interestingly, Oparanya was notably absent during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the passing of former Vice President Michael Wamalwa Kijana in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, on Wednesday. During this event, George Natembeya, the area governor, and Eugene Wamalwa, brother of the late Vice President and leader of the DAP-K party, renamed the Trans Nzoia County Teaching and Referral Hospital in honor of Michael Wamalwa Kijana.
The timing of Oparanya's arrest has raised questions, particularly as it precedes President William Ruto's scheduled tour of Western Kenya from August 27 to 30. Notably, leaders from Western Kenya recently met Ruto at State House, Nairobi, to discuss various issues, including development projects and the strengthening of the UDA party in the region.
Cleophas Malala, former Kakamega Senator and UDA secretary general, led the delegation of leaders from Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, and Busia counties during the meeting with President Ruto.