- Oparanya served as minister for planning in the grand coalition government between 2008 and 2012.
- He retired in 2022 as Kakamega governor after serving mandatory two terms
Image: HILTON OTENYO
President William Ruto on Wednesday nominated former Kakamega governor Wyckliffe Oparanya into his cabinet.
The president designated Oparanya as Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs in a broad-based government unveiled at State House.
If picked, Oparanya will replace Simon Kiprono Chelugui.
Oparanya retired as Kakamega governor in 2022 after serving two terms as provided in the Constitution.
Oparanya served as the Council of Governors chairperson from 2018-2021
The political heavyweight from Western Kenya is one of the deputy party leaders of Raila Odinga's ODM. The other deputy is a former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
He is also the chairperson of the National Coalition Executive Council and Chairman of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party led by Raila.
The ex-governor is considered one of the country's most experienced public servants having served as minister and governor.
He is a PhD holder in Economics from the University of Dra es Salaam in Tanzania.
Career
Oparanya who is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) K had an illustrious career in accounting and finance with over 23 years of experience, having worked for various companies including; Earnest & Young where he was a Senior Audit Manager from 1980-1995.
In 1995 he joined Kenya Aerotech Co. Limited where he served as the Secretary to the Board and later on Group Finance Controller.
Politics
Oparaya plunged into politics in 2002 when he won the Butere Parliamentary seat and went on to retain the seat in 2007 under the ODM party ticket.
He was appointed Minister of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030, under the grand coalition government of Mwai Kibaki in 2008.
In 2013, Oparanya vied for Governor of Kakamega with ODM and won.
He successfully defended the seat again in 2017 with the same party and retired in 2022.
Early life
Born in Butere, in 1956, the 65-year-old attended Mabole Primary School before he proceeded to Butere Boys High School for his O-levels and on joined Kisii High School for his A-levels.
From there he joined the University of Nairobi in 1977-1980 for his Undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting).
He joined the same institution in 1999-2000 for his Masters in Business Administration (Finance).