Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya faces renewed calls for EACC action over corruption allegations.
The National Integrity Alliance wants EACC to assess fresh evidence after the High Court invalidated the DPP’s decision to abandon Oparanya’s prosecution.
Lobby groups have petitioned the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for fresh action in the Oparanya graft case. The move follows a High Court ruling invalidating the decision to abandon prosecution of Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.
The groups, operating under the National Integrity Alliance (NIA), submitted their petitions at Integrity Centre in Nairobi on November 10. They want EACC to outline its next steps following the judgment and independently assess fresh evidence.
Transparency International Kenya, the Institute for Social Accountability and the Kenya Human Rights Commission are leading the push. Their demands centre on implementing the judgment and ensuring accountability in handling corruption allegations.
Petition seeks action on Oparanya graft case
Transparency International Kenya’s Sheila Masinde said the court found the prosecution reversal irregular, unconstitutional and legally invalid. The decision concerned allegations of conflict of interest, money laundering and abuse of office.
The Director of Public Prosecutions had approved EACC’s recommendation to prosecute Oparanya in December 2023. However, the DPP reversed that decision in July 2024, shortly after Oparanya’s nomination to the Cabinet.
Following the ruling, the alliance wants EACC to examine fresh evidence independently under its constitutional and statutory mandate. It also wants the commission to determine whether further investigations or other legal action are necessary.
KHRC Executive Director David Malombe said the groups expect an update on EACC’s handling of the matter. In addition, the alliance said its petitions seek accountability in the handling of subsequent corruption-related matters.
EACC to review petitions before deciding next steps
In response, EACC spokesperson Stephen Karuga acknowledged receipt of the petitions and said the commission would review them carefully. That review will guide its decision on the appropriate course of action.
Karuga maintained that EACC had already fulfilled its constitutional and statutory responsibilities in the matter. However, he noted that the criminal justice process involves several distinct institutions whose roles complement one another.
The allegations date back to Oparanya’s tenure as Kakamega governor. EACC investigated claims involving more than Ksh1.3 billion in suspected irregular wealth, alongside alleged payments linked to companies that secured county government contracts.
