This archive report was first published on 26 August 2019.
August 26, 2019
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya is facing allegations of acquiring a Ksh250 million hotel in Kisumu, sparking a probe by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The hotel, St John Manor, is a three-star facility located along Nehru Road in Kisumu city, situated in prime land alongside the Kisumu Yacht Club and Impala Sanctuary.
According to reports, the hotel is a popular choice for governors from the Lake Basin region when holding meetings in Kisumu.
However, Governor Oparanya has dismissed the allegations, terming them a 'fishing expedition' and a waste of time.
'There is nothing wrong with me owning a hotel. Even if I owned it, I would gladly say so. What is wrong with owning a hotel?' he was quoted as saying.
The EACC's investigation comes as Governor Oparanya faces a potential threat to his political career, with the allegations potentially hurting his chances of running for the top seat in 2022.
Other governors, including Ferdinand Waititu of Kiambu County and Lenolkulal of Samburu County, have faced similar allegations and been barred from office.
The Council of Governors, led by Governor Oparanya, has protested the declaration, calling for respect for existing laws and laid-down legal procedures.
