Anti-Graft Lobby Demands Reopening of Oparanya Corruption Probe Following High Court Ruling

The National Integrity Alliance (NIA) has petitioned key state agencies to immediately reopen investigations into corruption allegations against Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.

In separate petitions addressed to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the civil society group demanded swift implementation of an October 2, 2026, High Court judgment that nullified the withdrawal of graft charges against the former Kakamega Governor.

The High Court declared unconstitutional and null and void the ODPP’s decision to review and withdraw earlier charges against Oparanya, which related to allegations of conflict of interest, abuse of office, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit corruption involving Sh56.7 million.

The court ruled that the ODPP exceeded its constitutional mandate by assessing fresh evidence without submitting it to the EACC for further investigation first.

The NIA expressed concern over the ODPP’s filing of a Notice of Appeal against the ruling, accusing the prosecution of using legal maneuvers to frustrate public accountability.

“The ODPP’s constitutional mandate is to advance the interests of justice, not to shield individuals facing corruption allegations or frustrate accountability through successive legal manoeuvres,” the NIA stated in its petition.

Citing Article 157(11) of the Constitution, the lobby urged the ODPP to forward all material back to the anti-graft agency. It expects the EACC to independently evaluate the evidence and resubmit its findings for a fresh prosecutorial decision.

The alliance has issued a 14-day deadline for both the EACC and ODPP to provide written updates on the actions taken toward enforcing the court’s order. The dispute stems from an initial High Court ruling on September 16, 2025, which was later reheard and reaffirmed on October 2, 2026.

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