More woes for former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has obtained orders to freeze his assets worth Sh28.9 million.
The Twalib Mbaraka-led commission was given the asset freeze nod by the High Court last Thursday, pending the completion of ongoing investigations.
The Commission is investigating the former Governor for alleged procurement fraud and conflict of interest in the award of tenders by the County Government of Kakamega to companies linked to him allegedly leading to loss of public funds valued at approximately Sh 1.3 million during the Financial Years 2013-14 to 2021-22
Justice Esther Maina said that she was satisfied there was reasonable apprehension that unless the preservation orders are issued, the Governor and other respondents may, in the intervening period, withdraw, transfer or otherwise dispose the monies which may defeat the course of justice, before the Commission completes its investigations for the intended civil recovery.
Oparanya was on August 23 questioned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission detectives at Integrity Centre alongside his spouse in relation to alleged embezzlement of Sh1.3 billion during his two-term tenure as Governor of Kakamega County.
The anti-graft commission said investigations indicated that public funds were unlawfully acquired through proxies and associates during his tenure.
In October, the commission revealed that it had concluded investigations against Oparanya and forwarded the file to the Director of Public Prosecution for action.
EACC chair Bishop David Oginde made the revelation on Tuesday while appearing before the National Dialogue Committee on bipartisan talks sitting at the Bomas of Kenya.
"As we speak now, we have just concluded our investigations on this particular person. We have forwarded that particular file to the Director of Public Prosecution for further action," he said.
In August, EACC distanced itself from claims by Azimio leaders that the probe involving former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his wives was politically motivated.
EACC has said it is firmly focused on holding to account all persons suspected of embezzling public funds irrespective of their status or political allegiance.
"EACC will undertake its mandate strictly under the guidance of law and that will not in any way be swayed or distracted by such political utterances," EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said.
Ngumbi said besides Oparanya, EACC is currently investigating a total of 21 other sitting and former governors over corruption and economic crimes involving tens of billions of public funds.
They are facing investigations over embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, procurement fraud, payroll fraud mainly through ghost workers, fraudulent pending bills, and blatant disregard of laws relating to financial management.
Ngumbi said the cases are at different stages of investigation and upon conclusion, the investigation files will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with appropriate recommendation.