EACC Allowed To Freeze Oparanya's Ksh28.9 Million Assets

Former Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya's legal woes continued to worsen after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) obtained court orders to freeze his assets worth Ksh28.9 million.

The anti-graft body was allowed by the High Court on Thursday to freeze his assets pending the completion of ongoing investigations.

Justice Esther Maina in the orders barred Oparanya, private companies associated with him, their agents, servants or any other persons from withdrawing, transferring, or in any other way dealing with the frozen amount for the next six months.

EACC in August had accused Oparanya of alleged embezzlement of public funds amounting to over Ksh1.3 billion from Kakamega County Government during his tenure.

Its officers completed a search targeting various homes belonging to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party Leader in a bid to acquire leads that would help them solve the case regarding the missing funds.

"Following increasing media inquiries, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) 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.

"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," stated EACC in part.

The anti-corruption body added that the Kakamega County investigation is part of numerous high-impact investigations into the loss of public funds that it is undertaking in various County Governments, which are at different stages.

Upon conclusion, EACC assured that the investigation files will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further directions.

"The Commission may also file civil proceedings for recovery of public funds if investigations reveal to have been unlawfully acquired.

"The Commission conducts its investigations independently, impartially, and professionally, and in accordance with its mandate as spelt under the law," asserted EACC.