Lobby Group Calls for Oparanya’s Arrest After Court Reinstates Graft Case
The National Integrity Alliance, a coalition of civic and social groups, has demanded the immediate arrest of Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya following a High Court ruling that overturned the withdrawal of a Ksh57 million corruption case against him.
On Tuesday, September 16, the High Court declared that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally when he dropped the case in July 2024.
The ruling comes at a time when the DPP’s office has been facing public scrutiny for discontinuing several high-profile cases, sparking concerns over accountability and selective justice.
Justice Benjamin Musyoki, who delivered the judgment, criticized the DPP’s decision, saying it undermined the principles of transparency and accountability enshrined in the Constitution.
He explained that the DPP, Renson Ingonga, went beyond his legal powers by closing Oparanya’s case without consulting or involving the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which had carried out the investigations.
“The withdrawal was surrounded by secrecy and lacked justification. It ultimately worked against the public interest and contravened Article 157 of the Constitution,” Justice Musyoki ruled.
He emphasized that while the Office of the DPP has independence in prosecuting cases, this independence is not absolute and remains subject to oversight and judicial review.
Following the ruling, the National Integrity Alliance welcomed the decision, terming it a historic step in the fight against corruption, impunity, and state capture.
The lobby group urged law enforcement agencies to arrest Oparanya without delay and for the DPP to refile charges against him based on the EACC’s investigative report and the court’s directions.
“This judgment is not just about one case; it is a turning point in restoring the rule of law. We demand that the DPP stop undermining the EACC’s constitutional role and instead work with the commission as required under Article 79 and Chapter Six of the Constitution,” the group said in a strongly worded statement.
The lobby further pressed for the restoration of proper institutional cooperation between the DPP and the EACC, warning that a lack of coordination undermines the justice system and erodes public confidence.
According to the group, the ruling exposed “shadowy backroom deals” that for years have enabled powerful figures to avoid accountability.
The case, which dates back to Oparanya’s tenure as Kakamega Governor, involves accusations of conflict of interest, abuse of office, and conspiracy to engage in corruption, all linked to the mismanagement of Ksh57 million.
Critics say the handling of such cases has long highlighted the challenges Kenya faces in combating corruption at the highest levels of government.
By reinstating the case, Justice Musyoki’s ruling has not only revived legal action against the Cabinet Secretary but also set the stage for renewed debate on the independence of key oversight institutions and the need to shield them from political interference.
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