Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has spoken out strongly after a recent High Court ruling that reopened a graft case against him, saying he has nothing to fear and is ready to face any legal process.
Speaking in Kakamega on Friday, September 19, Oparanya dismissed corruption claims levelled against him, describing them as part of a wider political witch-hunt by rivals who are determined to tarnish his reputation.
He told residents that his years as Governor of Kakamega were marked by progress, insisting that his leadership left behind visible development that improved people’s lives.
The CS challenged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and other investigative agencies to table evidence if there was any wrongdoing on his part. He made it clear that he would not shy away from defending himself in court.
“I hope you know who carried those files to the EACC. Even if they claim that Oparanya was dishonest, the truth is in the projects I delivered for the people of Kakamega. You should come and see the work I did for yourselves,” Oparanya told the crowd.
He went on to stress that he is unshaken by the renewed pressure, adding: “If they have real evidence to prove I was involved in graft, let them bring it forward. I am not afraid of anything.”
Oparanya’s remarks came just four days after the High Court nullified the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) decision to withdraw a Ksh57 million graft case against him.
In his ruling on Tuesday, September 16, Justice Benjamin Musyoki faulted DPP Renson Ingonga for acting beyond his powers by unilaterally terminating the case without consulting the EACC, which had carried out the investigations.
According to the judge, the withdrawal went against the principles of transparency and accountability enshrined in the Constitution. He further described the move as being “shrouded in mystery” and not in the best interest of the public, saying it undermined Article 157 of the Constitution.
Following the judgment, the National Integrity Alliance—a coalition of social justice groups—issued a statement calling for Oparanya’s immediate arrest. The lobby group described the ruling as a historic step in the fight against corruption, impunity, and state capture.
They urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to respect the Constitution and reinstate charges against Oparanya based on the EACC’s findings and the court’s ruling.
“We demand that the DPP stop interfering with investigative work and fully recognize the EACC’s constitutional mandate under Article 79 and Chapter Six of the Constitution,” the lobby group said in their statement.
The case has now placed Oparanya at the center of a high-stakes political and legal battle, with supporters praising his development record while critics push for accountability over alleged mismanagement of funds.
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