Oparanya's colourful love life

For many prominent politicians in Kenya, secrecy is a major part of their lifestyle, especially in matters of family, marriages, and relationships.

However, for Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives Wycliffe Oparanya, secrecy on matters of relationships—especially having many wives and girlfriends—has never been part of his life.

For a man loved by many for being a performer in leadership, especially when he was the Minister for Planning in the late Mwai Kibaki’s Cabinet and as the first governor of Kakamega, what sets him apart from many of his peers is the openness about his personal life, particularly his sexual relationships.

He never shies away from showing off his polygamous life.

His candidness about his relationships has often made headlines. However, on Saturday, during his thanksgiving ceremony at Mabole Primary School in Butere, Kakamega County—a function attended by President William Ruto, a host of governors, Members of Parliament, Members of the County Assembly, and thousands of others—Oparanya left people with many unanswered questions when he lined up his three wives.

The CS left the crowd in laughter when he asked his wives, who had made it to the event, to stand up for introduction.

However, what left many scratching their heads with a lot of unanswered questions was the introduction of Sharon Ambetsa, a tall brown woman he called the "small wife," while conspicuously missing was the elegant Mary Biketi, a lady who made headlines a few months ago after her photos and those of Oparanya leaked and went viral on social media.

Oparanya would later respond to the videos by clearing the air, stating that the lady was his girlfriend and that the photos were genuine.

However, the Saturday ceremony left people asking whether Sharon had replaced Biketi, especially when the CS said Sharon was the one taking care of his wardrobe.

“Those (wives) who have managed to grace this occasion, welcome to the podium for the introduction. Sharon Oparanya is the one taking care of my wardrobe, and she is my youngest. My second wife is Tabitha Ambetsa, a teacher, and Priscilla is my first wife,” said Oparanya amid laughter from the crowd.

A close ally of the CS said Oparanya and Biketi are no longer "playing the pillow games" and that they parted ways a few months ago.

“They are no longer together as lovers. The CS is a man of principles and standards. They parted ways after the lady leaked their photos and videos, despite the CS warning her against releasing the romantic photos for clout chasing. As a man with standards, he went ahead and blocked the girl,” said the source.

“The CS has since replaced her with another beautiful lady whom he has decided to keep secret and out of the public eye at the moment,” he added.

However, also missing during the Saturday event was Caroline Oparanya, who had peacefully coexisted with Priscilla as the "first ladies" when he served as Kakamega governor for ten years.

Caroline is currently staying in Likuyani Constituency, and she has several children with Oparanya.

Oparanya’s story became a topic of discussion in both political circles and on social media after the photos of him and Biketi leaked.

For the last four months since the leakage of the photos, Oparanya and Biketi have not appeared together on social media like before.

During his first welcoming party at his Karen home in Nairobi, Oparanya acknowledged Priscilla as the matriarch of the family and emphasized the vital role she plays.

“This is the first lady, the foundation of this home. This is the woman I started life with. The others have come along because this one has groomed and cared for me, and she is from Busia,” said Oparanya.

“I am deeply grateful to her for protecting me and this entire family. In my absence, she is in charge,” he added.

At Karen, Oparanya also introduced Sharon Wakhu as his second wife.

“She ensures that we are well taken care of and that I am in good health. Her name is Sharon Wakhu Oparanya, and she resides in Runda. If you hear I am in Runda, that is where I am,” said Oparanya.

The CS concluded his remarks with a humorous query, “I wonder if I have forgotten anyone,” sparking laughter from the crowd.

As many would have expected, following Oparanya’s appointment as a CS, Biketi, known for her love of social media as a fashion model, would have already posted about the new CS, either together or separately. That has not been the case, raising speculation and doubts that the two might no longer be together as lovers.

During an interview with the KTN Home crew a month ago, Oparanya said he has never shied away from the public and media, stating that he was taught by his mother to be sincere.

“I was born into a family of five, but unfortunately, our first four siblings died, and my mother taught me to be honest and always sincere. That is why I don’t hide anything. I have two wives and a girlfriend,” said Oparanya.

Oparanya says that after 41 years as a public servant and aging, he felt it was possible and wise to have a young woman accompany him everywhere he goes since his two wives are getting older.

“There is no vacancy for more ladies because life has become so expensive. When my video with my girlfriend leaked, I was not surprised or tense because it was the truth of the matter, and I am not a man who pretends in the day and at night turns into a wicked person,” said Oparanya.

In fashion, Oparanya is often seen donning designer suits tailored to perfection.

His wardrobe choices speak of a man who values quality and elegance. Whether attending official functions or casual events, he always presents himself with a touch of class, embodying the adage that clothes make man.

“Since I am a politician and I meet people, I have a Wananchi room where I meet my people, and that is why you can see the kind and quality of materials is different from the rest,” he opined.

Dining is another area where Oparanya’s refined taste shines. He is known to frequent high-end restaurants and enjoys gourmet meals prepared by top chefs.

His appreciation for fine dining is not just about the food but also the experience, the ambience, and the company.

However, in March this year, when the photos and videos of Oparanya and Biketi leaked, Biketi later shared a video on her social media page account “to set the record straight.”

Known for his openness, the CS came out strongly and acknowledged the authenticity of the photos and his relationship with Biketi. He publicly wondered why someone would leak the photos to the public.

“Those are genuine photos. I don’t know why someone would waste time trying to circulate them. It is unfortunate that whoever took the photos leaked them to the press,” said Oparanya.

The two-term former governor said he was struggling to understand the interest people have in the photos, saying they are decent.

Oparanya said he has a family that needs his protection, stating that any fake news is hurting them.

“I have a big family to protect, so those sending out fake news should stop. Here I am, I am able to speak, I have no problem. I have been in Mombasa for a few days meeting my people from my own community,” he added.

Oparanya also refuted claims that he had been hospitalized due to the leaked photos.

However, after the photos and a video of the duo went viral and elicited mixed reactions,

Biketi told a reporter from an online local media outlet that the photos had been leaked.

She signalled Oparanya to stop and talk to the reporter. He stopped briefly, then walked away as Biketi waited to field questions and set the record straight.

“I did not leak the photos, but someone else did. It feels totally bad, but there is nothing much I can do,” said Biketi.

“At the same time, I have been getting positive comments, and I just thank God and the people out there for the encouragement,” she went on.

Biketi said she is not embarrassed about the photos, acknowledging the fact that Oparanya is a polygamous man.

She said she was not out to destroy the former governor’s marriage.

“I am not afraid. He is a polygamous man, and I respect the other wives,” said Biketi.

“No one has attacked me. Those photos were leaked. I love privacy, and I wouldn’t want to expose him, but because they are already out there, there is nothing much I can say,” she added.

On whether she is in a clandestine relationship, Biketi said she does not need to explain to people what kind of relationship she has with the former governor.

“I don’t need to explain much. I already know myself and the kind of relationship I am in. Those who want to talk will definitely talk, even after clarifying,” she said.

Biketi said she is not afraid of the backlash towards her following the leaked photos.

She added that they were deliberating taking legal action against the person responsible for the leak, saying the action has affected their families.

“It has caused a lot of damage. My parents are there, my family is there, same with his political life, and his wives and kids, but we will get over it,” said Biketi.

On whether she is known to the other wives, if they have met her, or if she has had any discussions with them, Biketi requested not to talk about them.

Biketi also clarified that she is not a daughter to the former governor, as some quarters were insinuating.

“Ooh really! Ok, I call him daddy, so maybe, yeah,” she stated.

However, The Nairobian tried to reach out to Biketi on why she missed the thanksgiving event and whether they are still together with CS Oparanya but the efforts were futile as she did not answer our calls.