I Was Handled Like a Terrorist - Oparanya Breaks Silence on Details of His Arrest

Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has narrated the events that preceded and followed his arrests on Thursday. 

Speaking to the media after being released, the ODM Party deputy Party leader said he was intercepted at Khayega town in Kakamega county while on his way to Bungoma by three plainclothes DCI officers. 

"Reaching Khayega, I saw three vehicles which blocked me. They had private registration. Immediately people who were in civilian clothes jumped out, all of them pointing guns toward me," he narrated. 

He said the officers pulled his driver out of his seat and took charge of the vehicle as two other officers took the back seats.

He said the group of men introduced themselves as DCI officers and told him that he was being taken to Kakamega for further action. 

"So I have come here, I have been trying to talk to the Director General DCI, unfortunately, I did not get him and he requested me to write a statement," he said.

"I was treated like a terrorist. I didn't like it." 

The Former Governor was in the company of his lawyer Kennedy Echesa and Kakamega Woman Rep Elsie Muhanda.

Echesa said the DCI failed to give them a reason why they were arresting him. 

"He has completely failed to tell give us any tangible reason for the arrest. He accused the former governor of leading demonstrations in Busia and Bungoma yesterday (Wednesday)," he said.

Though the former governor was released, his vehicle, said to be a government vehicle, is still being held by police.

"We are giving them 24 hours to return back the vehicle because it is his entitlement under the Kakamega County Pensions Act 2022. If they do not do that, we are making a demand this evening to the Director General of DCI and we are suing the DCI for the harassment, intimidation, and violation of the rights of the former governor," he added.