Officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday, August 23 arrested former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

Oparanya together with his two wives were arrested over alleged graft and other economic crimes committed during his tenure as Kakamega governor.

In a press statement, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party stated that Oparanya was arrested and taken to EACC headquarters for questioning.

“ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe WOparanya has been arrested by officers from the DCI. Oparanya together with his wife Madam Priscillah are currently at the EACC offices at Integrity Centre,” ODM noted in a statement.

According to the Orange party, there was no information as to why the former governor was arrested.

Oparanya and his two wives were arrested following raids at their homes in Nairobi and Kakamega.

Azimio leaders including Martha Karua, ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna and a group of MPs from Western Kenya checked on Oparanya as he was being questioned at the EACC headquarters.

Sifuna who spoke during a press briefing outside the Integrity Centre blamed the government for arresting Oparanya ahead of President Ruto’s visit in Western region.

The ODM deputy party leader, who is also a close ally of Azimio leader Raila Odinga served as Kakamega governor for two terms from 2013-2022.

This was not the first time for Oparanya to be arrested this year, as he was arrested on July 13 for organizing anti-government protests.

Oparanya was arrested and questioned for several hours for allegedly using a government vehicle during Azimio protests.