Mary Biketi: I quit nursing career for love, flashy life with CS Oparanya

When Mary Biketi crossed paths with Wycliffe Oparanya in the corridors of power, she had no inkling that the former Kakamega Governor, now Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, would soon become her husband and alter the course of her life. A trained nurse turned model, then public relations officer, Biketi traded her white coat for charity work and entrepreneurship, all under the glare of public scrutiny. Now, she opens up about love, controversy, and the relentless drive to empower her community, even as whispers of political ambition swirl. "I met mzee (Oparanya) while working at the Ministry of Education in 2016," recalls Biketi. "He told me to leave and stay at home. He empowered me. Since then, I've focused on my own business, and I don't regret leaving nursing," she adds. Raised in Molo and born in Thika's Makongeni estate, Biketi is the epitome of resilience and reinvention. The 32-year-old attended Milimani Primary School, Cranes Academy, and later St Anne's Nzoia Girls before transferring to St Henry's Memorial Girls in Likuyani, Kakamega County. Despite her early education aligning with her parents' medical ambitions, nursing never ignited her passion. She later joined Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) to pursue a nursing course, though the career never excited her, even after completing her studies. A trained nurse who eventually abandoned the profession for her passion for modelling, Biketi had worked at a clearing and forwarding firm at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) between 2014 and 2016 before joining the ministry. It was during her time at the airport that she developed an interest in modelling. "My parents wanted me to become a doctor or a nurse, so they forced me into it. After I completed the course, I was attached to Kenyatta National Hospital, but I couldn't manage it; I only lasted one day. The job and its nature didn't suit me. I have great respect for medics; they do tremendous work. I returned the certificate to my parents because that's what they wanted," Biketi explains. Turning point After leaving her nursing career behind, Biketi pursued a short course at Nairobi Aviation College and later worked at Safaricom between 2014 and 2016. She then took up a brief stint at the airport before transitioning to a government job, where fate brought her into contact with Wycliffe Oparanya. The then Kakamega Governor encouraged her to resign from public service and channel her energy into building her own enterprise. Biketi took his advice to heart and hasn't looked back since. But her journey has not been without turbulence. Recently, Biketi made headlines when a glamorous modelling event she had organised in Trans Nzoia, her home county, descended into chaos. The showcase, sponsored by the Mary Biketi Foundation, was intended to empower youth and provide a platform for aspiring models. Instead, it became the scene of violence and intimidation. Over 50 armed intruders stormed the venue moments after Biketi had taken her seat, shattering the festive mood. Her motorcade was viciously attacked, with windows smashed, and her bodyguard left injured. Despite the ordeal, Biketi remains undeterred. "This won't stop me. My focus remains on empowering young people and supporting the elderly, who have long been neglected by those in leadership," she said. A mother of one, Biketi called for calm, urging political rivals to shift their energy from smear campaigns to service delivery. "It's too early for campaigns. Let's serve the people first," she said. Although she hasn't officially declared a political bid, Biketi isn't ruling anything out. If the people call on her to run, she says she'll answer. "I don't understand the fear surrounding my work. I haven't even said I'll run. Whether it's MP or Woman Representative, if the people believe in me, I'm ready to serve," she asserted. Unbothered by threats and intimidation, she stands firm. According to Biketi, ever since the disrupted event, she's been inundated with phone calls from individuals close to Trans Nzoia Woman Representative Lilian Siyoi Chebet, each demanding clarity on her ambitions. "But I want to tell her to stop focusing on me and fighting me. Instead, she should serve the people, because I haven't declared interest in her seat," she says. The modelling extravaganza she had meticulously planned in Trans Nzoia, a showcase designed to uplift young talent, was brought to an abrupt halt after a mob of over 50 armed goons stormed the venue. Intimidation tactics What was meant to be a celebration of beauty and ambition turned into chaos. As the commotion escalated, Biketi was forced to flee for her safety. "I lost my shoe, certificates, and the trophies meant for the winners. If this is the kind of politics I have to face, then I'm ready for it," she recounts. She expressed gratitude to Governor George Natembeya for standing by her and publicly condemning the attack, which she believes was a calculated attempt to intimidate her. Still, despite the increasing public speculation about her political ambitions, Biketi is clear on one thing, her partner, Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, does not support her entering the political arena. "He is not in favour of it, and the reasons are best known to him," she says. With youth unemployment surging, she has pledged to launch empowerment initiatives tailored to the practical needs of young people. "We often see young people being misused by politicians, not because they want to, but because they have no alternatives. Many of them simply need the tools to start, motorbikes or basic car wash equipment. With that, they can build honest livelihoods," she says. Her efforts extend beyond the youth. Biketi is also committed to supporting the elderly, many of whom live in dire conditions. Through her foundation, she has begun constructing homes for vulnerable seniors and providing them with critical medical assistance. Though her foundation was born in Trans Nzoia, its reach now extends well beyond county lines. "I've paid school fees for students from Kakamega, Kisumu, Nandi and other regions," she explains. A former model who stepped away from the limelight in 2016 after gaining weight, Biketi hasn't abandoned the world of fashion entirely. Instead, she hopes to pass the torch to the next generation. "I want young women who are passionate about modelling to grow into brand ambassadors," she says. She first captured public attention when studio photos of her with Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya surfaced online. For Biketi, the spotlight came unexpectedly and unwelcome. The images, she says, were never meant for public consumption. Since then, the couple made a mutual decision to keep their relationship firmly out of the limelight. But questions about their union resurfaced last year when Oparanya, during his high-profile homecoming as Cabinet Secretary in Butere, Kakamega County-an event graced by President William Ruto-introduced his wives to the crowd. Biketi was notably absent. Private bond Whispers of a breakup followed. But she insists they are still together and that she was out of the country at the time. "People assume too much. Just because we aren't being seen together in public doesn't mean we're not together. The leaked photos were not intentional. After that, we chose privacy. That's why people no longer see us side by side," Biketi says. She adds, "He's a polygamous man, and I honour my co-wives. He has grown-up children whom I also respect deeply. It shouldn't always revolve around me. People can speculate, but we are together." She clarifies her absence at the Butere event: "He made it clear-those who could attend would be introduced. I wasn't in the country then. But I've visited Butere more than seven times this year." When asked how she funds her growing charity initiatives, Biketi doesn't flinch. "I work hard. I have my foundation, and I finance it myself. I own fully furnished apartments in Kilimani, Lavington, and Kileleshwa. I also do supplies and contracts. I don't depend on anyone," she says.

Mary Biketi: I quit nursing career for love, flashy life with CS Oparanya

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Mary Biketi: I quit nursing career for love, flashy life with CS Oparanya

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