The Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominee for Cooperatives and MSME Development Wycliffe Oparanya has declared his net worth.
Oparanya revealed that he is worth about Ksh600 million while appearing before the vetting Committee Chaired by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula.
“My net worth is about Ksh600 million made out of mainly buildings and houses that I reside in,” he said.
This means that his value reduced by Ksh100 million in the last 17 months.
The former Kakamega governor last declared his net worth during an interview in February 2023, where revealed that he was worth around Ksh700 million.
He explained that his earnings while serving in various positions in the private and government sector helped amass the wealth.
“Maybe I would say Ksh700 million because I have been working for all this time,” Oparanya said.
During an interview with Esther Nyonje, Oparanya explained that he acquired his wealth from the salaries earned in various positions he has served in both the private sector and government.
“I have worked continuously for 40 years. I have been on the payroll for 40 years and have held very respectable positions both in the private sector and in government. I have never sat down but I think it is that range of Ksh700 million to Ksh1 billion,” Oparanya explained.
Oparanya has held several prominent positions, rising from a little-known Member of Parliament to a man wielding immense power in various political outfits and governments.
Education Background
Oparanya holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting option) and an MBA (Finance) from the University of Nairobi.
Further, Oparanya is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) as well as numerous other professional bodies.
He also has 23 years’ experience in local and international Finance Management, Audit and Business Consultancy.
Oparanya as MP & Minister
His political career started in 2002 when he was elected as the MP for Butere Constituency dethroning Amukowa Anangwe.
Afterwards he went on to serve as MP for ten years.
The Late President Mwai Kibaki appointed Oparanya as the Minister for Planning and Vision 2030 in 2008.
This was during the Coalition Government where Oparanya’s party leader, Raila Odinga served as the Prime Minister.
He held this position up to 2012, when Kibaki’s second term ended.
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Governor & COG
Oparanya was elected as the first governor of Kakamega County during the 2013 general elections.
This is one of the important positions Oparanya has held serving between 2013 and 2022.
Oparanya successfully defended his seat against Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale in the 2017 elections.
He was named as one of the best performing governors on multiple occasions.
Oparanya was appointed on 14 January 2019 as the Council of Governors (COG) of Kenya chairperson. COG comprises of the Governors of the forty-seven Counties.
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Party Politics
In party politics, Oparanya has served as ODM deputy party leader since 2014.
His close association with Raila Odinga has seen him retain the position until July 31, 2024, when he submitted his resignation.
Oparanya was also the Chairman of the Azimio One Kenya Alliance Coalition, the official opposition party.
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