‘Oparanya being investigated for embezzlement of Ksh1.3B’ – EACC
Former Kakamega Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya is being investigated over alleged embezzlement of Ksh1.3 billion belonging to the county, the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) has revealed.
In a statement moments after the governor was arrested alongside his wife Priscillah Oparanya, EACC Deputy CEO Abdi Mohamud said that the funds were unlawfully acquired through proxies and associates.
"The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission wishes to confirm that today, Wednesday, 23rd August 2023, 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 Ksh1.3 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," Mohamud said.
"The former Governor was this morning brought to EACC Headquarters at Integrity Centre in Nairobi to clarify several issues and record a statement on the ongoing investigation."
EACC's plan against Oparanya
The commission is mooting filing a civil proceeding for the recovery of public funds if investigations reveal that the former governor unlawfully acquired some of his wealth.
"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 conclusion, the investigation files will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further directions," Mohamud added.
Earlier on Wednesday, EACC officers raided Oparanya's Lang'ata and Butere homes and carted away a number of documents for investigation.
