EACC OPPOSES OPARANYA’S CABINET NOMINATION OVER ONGOING CORRUPTION CASE
Corruption cases that had faced former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya of Kakamega County have re-emerged to pose a potent challenge to his recent nomination as Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has formally filed its objection to the nomination of Oparanya over impending corruption allegations.
In the July 29 letter, the EACC wrote to the Clerk of the National Assembly, offering its disapproval of Oparanya’s appointment. The commission said that Oparanya already faces a graft case relating to his activities while serving as Kakamega Governor.
These allegations have been investigated and the EACC applied for preservation orders that would facilitate the freezing of assets suspected to be corruption-related. Specifically, Ksh.28.9 million is being probed, with the commission saying this might be proceeds of corruption relating to conflict of interest. The case is still before the court.
The EACC’s letter was a response to a former request by the Clerk of the National Assembly, who had asked for an extensive background search on the Cabinet nominees. While the Integrity Centre has cleared all the other nominees, Oparanya’s appointment is set to hit a snag following the EACC’s revelation.
In respect of every nomination, the relevant committee of the National Assembly has to consider a number of factors about the selection procedure and whether the nominee complies with the applicable provisions of the Constitution and the law, including under the Public Appointments Act.
Suitable appraisal, basically, should be in regard to qualifications, experience, and ability for the discharge of the needs required for the office.
The EACC is charged by the Constitution with enforcing the provisions of Chapter Six on Leadership and Integrity, which is going to guide the assessment of the integrity of the nominee. The findings by the EACC are going to be very fundamental as the vetting committee plans to interrogate the nominees.
“The integrity of our leaders is paramount,” one member of the vetting committee said. “We must make sure those appointed to high offices are unblemished and of the highest ethical standing.”.
The vetting of the Cabinet Secretaries is set to start on Thursday, and Oparanya is set to appear before the committee on Sunday.
There is a lot of public sentiment with many Kenyans asking the Committee on Appointments to keep the standards high and uncompromising on leaders with issues.
