Opposition leader Raila Odinga has strongly criticized an ongoing corruption investigation into the former Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, dismissing it as a politically-driven witch-hunt.
In a bold stance, Odinga demanded that the fight against corruption be conducted in a neutral and fair manner, devoid of any political bias.
Speaking as the head of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition, Raila Odinga emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in state institutions.
While expressing support for investigations into corruption, he underlined the necessity for such probes to be devoid of political motivations.
“This is a witch-hunt and an afterthought. Oparanya has already concluded his term in office… Authorities should conduct investigations only after a proper audit is in place. Random investigations by institutions like the EACC raise questions about their authenticity,” Raila Odinga asserted.
He further pointed out that county government accounts undergo auditing by the auditor-general.
Should any irregularities surface, Raila highlighted that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations should step in to conduct unbiased investigations and recommend appropriate actions.
Odinga argued that targeting perceived opponents of the Kenya Kwanza government in corruption investigations could undermine the credibility of state institutions.
“We’re dealing with a post-mortem here. After one’s term ends, investigations should focus on audit accounts that indicate potential wrongdoing,” he explained.
The former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, had been questioned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) regarding the alleged misappropriation of Sh1.3 billion during his tenure.
While Oparanya decried the investigation as a political maneuver against government opponents, the EACC maintained that its actions were apolitical, based on years of scrutiny into county finances.
Odinga also raised concerns about the EACC’s focus solely on certain individuals associated with the Azimio coalition, alleging that other former officials were being targeted as well.
“This appears to be a concerted effort to single out Azimio-leaning officials and those from the previous administration, including former MPs, senators, and governors,” he claimed.
Addressing these matters from Dubai, Raila Odinga reiterated the call for impartiality, insisting that the fight against corruption should not be a pretext for political persecution. Instead, he urged for a focus on curbing ongoing corruption within the Kenya Kwanza administration, highlighting the need for transparent and accountable investigations.
