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Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has been released after his dramatic arrest on Thursday, July 13 on allegations of participating in anti-government demonstrations.

Speaking shortly after his release from police custody on Thursday evening, the former county boss revealed that he is being accused of using a government vehicle during the demonstrations called by the opposition on Wednesday.

Oparanya arrested like a ‘criminal’

Oparanya said his motorcade was intercepted at Khayega by officers in civilian clothes while en route to Kakamega to have dinner with a friend.

He claimed the officers who were using three vehicles with private registrations stepped out with their guns pointed at him. One of the officers forced his driver out of the vehicle before taking the wheel and driving off.

“My driver was pulled out of the car and the fellow came in the steering seat claiming he was a CID officer and I’m required at the police station to record (statement) about demonstrations in Busia, where I was using a government vehicle,” Oparanya told members of the press, adding that he was treated like a criminal.

He said he was allowed to go home pending further communication from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Oparanya’s lawyer claimed the former county boss was handled like a terrorist during the arrest and threatened to sue the DCI for violating his client’s rights.

“He(Oparanya) was arrested like a terrorist. The DCI from Kakamega accosted his vehicle and threw his driver out. They jumped to the steering wheel and at one point they wanted to crash the vehicle,” the lawyer said.

According to the lawyer, the vehicle in question was detained despite the former governor’s release.

He argued that Oparanya was exercising his rights when he led demonstrations in Busia and Bungoma on Wednesday and gave the police 24 hours to release the vehicle.

“We are giving them 24 hours to return the vehicle to the former governor because it’s his entitlement under the Kakamega County Pension Act 2022 section 21(c) as read with the second schedule,” he added.

“…We are suing the DCI for the harassment, incrimination and violation of the rights of the governor coming barely 24 hours after an attempted assassination in Busia yesterday. If you look at his vehicle it has several gunshots… he survived by a whisker,” the lawyer said regarding claims that Oparanya’s vehicle was shot at by police during the opposition’s protests in Busia on Wednesday.

Oparanya was freed moments after Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga demanded release of all opposition supporters arrested during Wednesday’s protests.

Addressing members of the press at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation offices in Nairobi on Thursday, Raila revealed that the Azimio executive chair was among hundreds of Kenyans being held for taking part in the protests aimed at forcing the Kenya Kwanza administration to among others, lower the cost of living and repeal the Finance Act 2023.

Also arrested on Thursday was Mavoko Member of Parliament Patrick Makau.

“We demand immediate and unconditional dropping of all charges against Hon. Oparanya, Hon. Makau and all those who were arrested for participating in a constitutionally protected action of protesting against punitive policies,” Raila said.

The leaders were arrested a day after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki vowed to ensure organisers and financiers of the Wednesday demonstrations which turned violent were apprehended and prosecuted.