The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) remains steadfast in its commitment to tackling corruption at various levels of government. Spearheading these efforts is EACC’s chairperson, Bishop David Oginde. In a recent revelation before the National Dialogue Committee (NDC) on October 3, Bishop Oginde confidently expressed that the former Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, is likely to be formally charged on grounds of corruption and misuse of his official position.
This crucial announcement comes after EACC wrapped up its investigations into the alleged wrongdoings of the governor, which took nearly a month after Oparanya’s arrest. Wycliffe Oparanya, who also holds a significant position as the deputy party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, has been under scrutiny for purportedly mismanaging an astronomical amount of Ksh1.3 billion during his tenure as Kakamega governor, which spanned from 2013 to 2022.
Post-investigation, in a bid to ensure that justice is served, the EACC has duly forwarded its findings to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). Bishop Oginde expressed optimism about the ODPP’s involvement, stating, “We have successfully concluded our investigation into this individual. Our internal review process for each case is stringent. A quick look at our track record would reveal that the majority of the cases we hand over to the ODPP seldom get dismissed, withdrawn, or dropped.” His words reflect the thoroughness and credibility of the EACC’s efforts.
However, the political landscape has not been entirely supportive. The ODM party, under the leadership of the former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has been vocally critical, accusing the EACC of exaggerating the case against Oparanya for political reasons. Contradicting these accusations, Oginde, who previously served as a Bishop at CITAM, emphasized that the EACC’s investigations are impartial. He firmly countered the allegations of the ODM party by stating, “The recent investigation involving one of the governors was purely professional. Yet, the party associated with this governor aggressively suggested that our actions were politically motivated, attempting to weaponize the EACC’s sincere efforts.”
In a more extensive revelation at the NDC meeting, Oginde disclosed that nine current and former governors, including the likes of Mike Sonko from Nairobi and Okoth Obado from Migori, have corruption cases pending against them. Additionally, the EACC has been meticulously monitoring 21 other governors, gathering evidence related to possible mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds.
These developments underscore the EACC’s unwavering commitment to upholding ethics and transparency in governance. The ongoing efforts of this commission seek to ensure that individuals in positions of power are held accountable for their actions, preserving the trust and welfare of the nation’s citizens.