Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has buoyed himself as frequent visitor to the courts due to his position.
The governor has been on several occasions appeared in court to hear his case ranging from incitement and failing to honour court summons.
Currently, the governor has a case at Kakamega and Butere law courts.
Oparanya said since he was elected as governor in 2013, he has been in court on several occasions which include the petition challenging his 2013 victory filed by Mable Muruli.
“I was a victim of election petition in 2013 and this made me a frequent visitor in court. I now know every corner of the court,” said Oparanya.
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Recently, a chief magistrate issued a warrant of arrest for the governor after he failed to appear before the court during the hearing of a case where he accused of incitement to violence.
“A week ago, the Chief Magistrate ordered my arrest since I could not avail myself in court when I was required to but I came later and explained my absentia,” he said in the presence of chief magistrate Bildad Ochieng’ who issued the warrant of arrest.
“I came the same evening to explain where I was and why I never turned up in court. I however respect the independence of the judiciary.”
On the hearing date, Oparanya did not turn up instead he was spotted in Nairobi moments before the swearing-in ceremony of NASA leader Raila Odinga.
Oparanya doubles as ODM deputy party leader alongside Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
His lawyer Gregory Ombito asked the Magistrate to grant his client another date saying he had been held up in other ‘national matters’ an application which was opposed by State Counsel Samson Ng’etich.
Ng’etich told the court the prosecution was ready to proceed with the hearing and asked the court to issue the warrant as there were not sufficient reasons the governor was not in court.
Now, Oparanya says he supports the independence of judiciary asking all Kenyans to honor court orders and summons.
“My government fully supports an independent judiciary and call on citizens of the county and institutions as well to submit to the rule of law and honor court summons,” he said.
He asked the Judiciary to quickly oversee construction of more courts in Kakamega County especially in the Northern region of Likuyani and Lugari sub counties.
This would reduce visits made to neighboring counties by residents of Kakamega and resolve a backlog of cases lying in the courts.
“The construction and operationalization of county courts within Kakamega which had been initiated by my government after I took over the county leadership stalled as the contractor was incapacitated. The county government has however, in this financial year allocated more funds for that project to ensure its faster completion,” he said.
