Wycliffe Oparanya Arrested- ODM

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has claimed that former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has been arrested.

The party in a statement on Wednesday, August 23 claimed that Oparanya was arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) alongside his wife.

The former governor was grilled by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) at the Integrity Centre.

"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.

Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya analysing damage to his vehicle during the Wednesday, July 13, 2023 demonstrations. /NTV

"No information has been given as to why they have been arrested & why they are being questioned," stated the party.

Viral Tea was yet to independently establish why the former county boss and his wife were arrested and grilled. The ODM party did not divulge further details about the arrest, coming ahead of President William Ruto's Western Kenya tour from August 27-30. 

Further reports indicated that EACC officers conducted a search at one of his homes in Nairobi amidst reports claiming corruption and economic crimes committed during his tenure as governor.

"Why are suspicious-looking men in Subaru vehicles camping outside Wycliffe Oparanya's residence in Karen?" ODM Director of Communications, Philip Etale, posed.

Oparanya has been a consistent supporter of opposition chief Raila Odinga, supporting him even after the August 2022 election loss which saw some leaders jump ship to the opposition.

The former governor who served between 2013 and 2022 for two terms, is facing his second arrest this year.

In a press briefing at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation, former Defense CS Eugene Wamalwa condemned the previous arrest on Oparanya in connection to the anti-government protests that disrupted the country on Wednesday, July 12.

"Among those in police custody is Mavoko MP Patrick Makau and as we speak we have just learnt of the arrest of Oparanya. We demand the immediate and unconditional dropping of all charges against these two for participating in a constitutionally protected action," Wamalwa stated.