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Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya says he cannot be a bishop because of his polygamous status. He declared publicly that he has two wives (Priscilla and Caroline) and dismissed claims that he is married to 10 women.
“Kwani mimi ni punda wa kuoa bibi kumi (am I a donkey to marry 10 wives)?” posed Oparanya, who told residents that he was satisfied with the two wives and advised women who had ‘hopes’ of getting hitched to him that there was ‘no vacancy.’
“There is no vacancy for another wife. Some ladies parade themselves on streets to tempt me, but that chapter is closed for me,” declared Oparanya who also exonerated himself from claims that he was enriching himself with funds meant for development in the county.
He explained that as a governor, he is entitled to Sh1 million salary. He said that he had also invested wisely and accumulated wealth when he served as a Cabinet minister in the coalition government under retired President Mwai Kibaki.
“I am able to plan myself with the little I earn as my salary. If one cannot plan himself well, let him not mislead the public that I use public funds for my private life. I have been an MP for two terms and a minister and accumulated enough for my private life,” he said.
He took issue with some leaders in the county, accusing them of spreading lies about how the county has spent billions of devolved monies on personal issues.
“Some elected leaders mislead locals, especially during funerals, that I have used county funds for my personal use. Those are lies. We have prudently used the county money on development projects in the county,” he said.
Before being elected governor, Oparanya served as MP for Butere for two terms from 2002. He was the Cabinet minister for Planning and Vision 2030 in the grand coalition government.
