The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has reported that it received allegations of corruption involving the wife of Wycliffe Oparanya, former Governor of the County Government of Kakamega.
According to the Authority, the spouse allegedly received irregular payments from the county as imprests for a trip to Dallas, United States of America, which did not take place.
In a gazette notice dated February 28, 2025, the Commission stated that investigations revealed the spouse of the former governor, who is now the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), allegedly received a total of KSh. 5,951,645.
This amount was claimed through the Office of the County First Lady, which is not a legally established office.
“The Commission received a report on allegations of corruption against the spouse of the former Governor of the County Government of Kakamega (CGK), who irregularly received payments from the county as imprests for a trip to Dallas, United States of America, which did not take place,” read part of the gazette notice.
EACC Says It Has Received Reports of Allegations of Corruption Against Oparanya’s Wife
The EACC further stated that investigations established that the money paid to the spouse of the former governor through her M-Pesa and bank accounts was purportedly for allowances and other payments.
Investigations also revealed that the Personal Assistant (PA) to the former governor’s wife allegedly generated irregular requisitions, which were approved by the County Secretary and processed by the Finance Department.
Additionally, the EACC disclosed that on November 12, 2024, a report was compiled and forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
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The report recommended charges against the former governor’s wife, the County Secretary, the Deputy County Secretary, and the Acting Chief Officer for Health Services. The recommended charges include:
(i) One count of unlawful acquisition of public property, contrary to Section 45(1)(a) as read with Section 48(1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA);
(ii) Three counts of abuse of office, contrary to Section 46 as read with Section 48(1) of ACECA; and
(iii) One count of financial misconduct, contrary to Section 197(1)(h) as read with Section 199 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
The EACC further announced that it is currently awaiting the DPP’s response.
Oparanya’s Home Raided by EACC
This is not the first time the former Governor has been pursued by the EACC over allegations on corruption.
On August 23, 2023, Oparanya and his two wives were arrested by the Authority.
Also Read: EACC Launches Corruption Probe into Judiciary After Martha Koome Letter
They were taken into custody on allegations of corruption and economic crimes committed during Oparanya’s tenure as governor. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) conducted raids at their homes in Nairobi and Butere, seizing documents that were crucial to the investigation.
These arrests were part of an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of Ksh. 1.3 billion.
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