Lawyer wants Wycliffe Oparanya charged for assaulting former farmhand

By GEOFFREY MOSOKU

A Nairobi lawyer has threatened to institute a private criminal prosecution against Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya for allegedly assaulting his former farmhand.

Lawyer Kibe Mungai wants Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko to open charges against Oparanya for allegedly assaulting John Ojwang Waka.

Kibe has written to Tobiko complaining of police inept to charge the Governor who is said to have committed the offence while he served as a cabinet minister in 2008. Waka had gone to demand his dues for work he had done in his Kakamega home.

“Our client filed a complaint of assault over unpaid debt owed to him by Hon. Oparanya at Manyala police base on the 17th August 2008 and thereafter at Butere police station."

Upon filing the complaint, no action was taken against the Governor prompting our client to write to the Attorney General for intervention and copying the letter to the police commissioner,” Kibe’s letter dated 31st January 2014 reads in part.

Our efforts to get Oparanya’s comment were futile as he did not respond to calls made to his mobile phone number or reply to texts.

In his letter, the lawyer accuses police of failing to investigate the matter and creating the impression that they are not keen on decisively and genuinely prosecuting Oparanya.

“Take note that if no action is taken against Hon. Oparanya within the next 30 days, we have instructions to commence a private prosecution proceedings without further reference to you whatsoever.”

The letter has been copied to Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo and Director of CID Ndegwa Muhoro.