Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya is a good example, together with his Makueni counterpart Kivutha Kibwana, of how county governments should be run. Although he lacks in charisma, Oparanya is a performer who has transformed Kakamega county and this has gone a long way to endear him to the electorate. When the county boss walloped his political nemesis Boni Khalalwe in last year’s (2017) August 7 election, the former Kakamega senator opted not to challenge Oparanya’s victory for fear of being handed a second beating. In colorful words Khalwale said at the time: “After listening to my inner voice and advice by our elders through Mzee Mulusa Khamadi, I have opted not to challenge Oparanya’s rigged election.” Before we delve in what Oparanya owns, let’s take a quick look at his projects.
Bukhungu Stadium
Western being a sporting region it was only natural for the governor to invest heavily in rehabilitating and modernizing the stadium. The stadium is the best in the region.
Roads
Oparanya’s government has tarmacked over 50 km of road. His government is keen on doing atleast 10 km per ward annually of bitumen road with a view of opening 300 km of rural roads. The county has created employment to 3,800 youths who are tasked with cleaning and maintaining the roads.
Bridge
The county government built a bridge that cost three times less than the Sigiri Bridge in Busia county that collapsed days after it was officially opened by the Head of State Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Oparanya Care
This novel maternal health programme idea has been a welcome relief to new mothers who receive kes2000 after childbirth and a similar amount everytime they visit the hospital to have their kids vaccinated. The county boss was quoted by Standard as saying of the project: “This encourages mothers not to miss vaccination because they know when they come, they get something for transport. This is the most popular programme.” The Linda Mtoto na Mama is very popular with the mothers.
Building Teaching and Referral Hospital
Still on health. His government is in the process of building a kes10 billion teaching and referral hospital in partnership with Masinde Muliro University. Already kes2 billion has been sunk in the 750 bed capacity medical school.
Education
The former Planning minister administration worked with school boards to hire 550 hire school teachers. Each teacher is paid kes10,000 in the programme christened ‘top up’. The county spends kes5.5 million a month on the scheme. The county has constructed classrooms blocks for 25 schools which include eight classrooms and offices per block. His administration has recruited 3000 early childhood (ECD) teachers, three per institution. The county pays kes1,000 per pupil to make learning at that level free.
These are just some of the projects initiated by the Governor this writer thought of mentioning before we turn our attention on his net worth and what he owns.
Properties owned by Oparanya
Flats in Kahawa Wendani
The Governor is said to own several flats in Kahawa Wendani.
Five Star Hotel in Kakamega
The county boss is reportedly building a five star hotel in the county.
Home In Butere sub county
Oparanya has a palatial home in Butere sub county
Land
The ODM deputy leader is said to have large parcels of land in Kakamega county.
His net worth
Kakamega County Governor estimated worth is kes1.3 billion.
