Ksh1.3 Billion Scandal That Triggered Oparanya's Arrest
ODM earlier claimed in a statement that Oparanya had been arrested together with his wife.
Marvin Chege 
Former Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya was arrested on Wednesday, August 23 due to ongoing investigations into alleged embezzlement of public funds amounting to over Ksh1.3 billion from Kakamega County Government during his tenure.
This is according to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) which indicated in a statement that 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.
EACC offices at Integrity Centre in Nairobi. /FILE
"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.
The Twalib Mbarak-led commission cautioned leaders and the general public against politicizing and ethnicizing its work and that of independent offices and called upon both groups to allow it to discharge its mandate.
ODM earlier claimed in a statement that Oparanya had been arrested together with his wife.
The former Governor is yet to make a statement on his arrest and Ksh1.3 billion allegations revealed by the EACC.
"Our DPL (Deputy Party Leader) 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.
"No information has been given as to why they have been arrested & why they are being questioned," stated the party.
The former governor who served between 2013 and 2022 for two terms, faced his second arrest this year.
Former Kakamega governor, Wycliffe Oparanya. /FILE
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