Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffee Oparanya was released last evening after he was arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kakamega.
The former premier was heading to Bungoma from Kisumu but was intercepted and taken to DCI offices for grilling following Wednesday’s anti-government protests in Busia.
The detectives forced him to record a statement for causing chaos and destruction of property during the protests.
“A friend of mine from Bungoma had invited me for dinner. When I was heading there, my vehicle was waylaid by three cars whose occupants were armed,” Oparanya told journalists after his release.
“All of them pointed their guns towards me. They then pulled my driver from the vehicle, which they then commandeered. One of them said he was a CID officer and that I was required for questioning.”
The politician says that he was accused of using a government-owned vehicle during the protests.
He said he declined recording a statement, and his lawyer, Echesa, did it on his behalf.
“My client was arrested like he was a terrorist. The regional DCI boss has failed to explain why my client was arrested. They have even impounded Oparanya’s vehicle; we are giving them 24 hours to return the vehicle because he is entitled to it,” lawyer Echesa said.
“If they don’t heed our request, we will sue the DCI for harassing, intimidating, and violating my client’s rights.”
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