Silverio Omari
Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s aide, Makau Mutua, now asserts that former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya’s nomination to the Cabinet has become untenable.
According to Mutua, Oparanya should spare the country and take responsibility for his actions.
Mutua emphasized that there must be someone more qualified to replace Oparanya in the cabinet. Oparanya is the nominee for the Cabinet Secretary position for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
“Oparanya’s nomination has become untenable. He should spare the country and fall on his sword. There must be a suitable replacement from the great people of Kakamega County,” Mutua said.
Oparanya, a close ally of Raila Odinga, served as ODM deputy party leader until recently resigning to take up the CS nomination.
Mutua’s remarks come amid an ongoing tussle between the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Oparanya over his suitability for the Cabinet position due to graft allegations.
In a letter dated July 29 and addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly, the EACC asked the House not to approve Oparanya’s nomination as Cabinet Secretary due to alleged integrity issues. The EACC highlighted that Oparanya is facing a graft case and that they had filed for preservation orders against his assets. He is alleged to possess proceeds from corruption arising from a conflict of interest, and the matter is still pending in court.
The EACC seeks to recover billions from Oparanya and several companies associated with officials of the Kakamega County government, amounting to Sh1,387,310,025.
In response, Oparanya stated in a letter that it was surprising that while the EACC received communication from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on July 8, 2024, it still ignored this and proceeded to write to Parliament on July 29, 2024. “There cannot be greater manifest malice,” he said.
Oparanya’s lawyers added that based on the DPP’s letter, any claims of wrongdoing against Oparanya should be considered resolved and dismissed. “We are instructed to inform you that neither investigation nor charges are pending against Hon Oparanya to merit any well-intentioned complaint against him. It is noteworthy that on the strength of the DPP’s letter and upon receipt of the same, the EACC should recognise that any claims of wrongdoing on the part of Hon Oparanya are rested and declined,” the law firm told Parliament.
