• Oparanya is the CS nominee for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
• The ex-governor is a close ally of Raila Odinga and served as ODM deputy party leader.
Image: FILE
Azimio leader Raila Odinga's aide Makau Mutua now says that former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya's nomination to the Cabinet has become untenable.
According to Mutua, Oparanya should spare the country and carry his cross.
He went on to say that there must be someone well-qualified to replace Oparanya in the cabinet.
Oparanya is the CS nominee for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
"Oparanya’s nomination has become untenable. He should spare the country and fall on his sword. There must be a suitable replacement from the great people of Kakamega County," Mutua said.
Oparanya is a close ally of Raila Odinga and served as ODM deputy party leader until a few days ago when he resigned to take up the CS nomination.
Mutua's remarks come amid an ongoing tussle between the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over his suitability to hold a Cabinet Secretary position over graft.
In a letter dated July 29 and addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly, EACC asked the House not to approve the nomination of Wycliffe Oparanya as Cabinet Secretary over alleged integrity issues.
It highlighted that Oparanya, the Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development CS nominee is faced with an alleged graft case.
EACC noted that it had filed for preservation orders against Oparanya’s assets, as he is alleged to be in possession of proceeds from corruption arising from a conflict of interest, and that the matter is still pending in court.
In this case, EACC is seeking to recover the billions from Oparanya and several companies associated with officials of the Kakamega County government amounting to Sh1,387,310,025.
In response, Oparanya in his letter said that it was surprising that whilst the EACC received the DPP’s communication on July 8, 2024, it still ignored the communication and went ahead and wrote to Parliament on July 29, 2024.
“There cannot be greater manifest malice,” he said.
Oparanya's lawyers added that it is noteworthy that on the strength of the DPP's letter and upon receipt of the same, the EACC should recognise that any claims of wrongdoing on the part of the former governor are rested and declined.
“We are instructed to inform you that neither investigation nor charges are pending against Hon Oparanya to merit any well-intentioned complaint against him. It is noteworthy that on the strength of the DPP's letter and upon receipt of the same, the EACC should recognise that any claims of wrongdoing on the part of Hon Oparanya are rested and declined,” the law firm told Parliament.