The biography of Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, also known as Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya is neither short nor long. However, it’s of great interest given his position in Kenyan politics.
Born on 25 March 1956, Oparanya comes from the western part of Kenya, in an area called Emabole in Butere, Kakamega County. He is not only committed to but enjoys his marriage and family life.
He has two wives and several children. His first wife is called Caroline Mchome Ambetsa while the second spouse is Priscilla Oparanya. He was blessed with three children from his first marriage.
Wycliffe Oparanya Profile
| Wycliffe Oparanya Spouse/Wife | First Wife: | Caroline Mchome Ambetsa |
| Second Wife: | Priscilla Oparanya | |
| Wycliffe Oparanya Daughter, Son | Daughter: | Doreen Onduso Ambetsa |
| Wycliffe Oparanya Mother and Father | Father: | Mr. Oparanya |
Wycliffe Oparanya Wife
Like earlier said, Oparanya’s first spouse is Caroline Mchome Ambetsa. She doubles up as the First Lady of Kakamega County. The governor’s ascension cannot ignore the force mounted by this lady in his political life.
As a Corporate Communications expert and hotelier, Caroline has both a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree from Daystar University in Corporate Communications.
The First Lady, as popularly referred to, has a Diploma in Hotel and Catering Management as well. She acquired her earlier education, both at the primary and secondary school level in the neighboring country, Tanzania.
To show her support for Oparanya’s political ambitions, Caroline quit her businesses including running several shops and managing Shooters restaurant in Nairobi to take care of the family and also facilitate the husband in his political endeavors.
Moreover, the First Lady spent most her time in the past general election with youth groups as well as with old and young women in different constituencies in the County to campaign for the governor. Thanks to her efforts that Oparanya was able to retain the seat.
She, among other things, played a big role in preparing speeches for him based on the function ahead. The First Lady also reminded Oparanya about any undelivered public pledges since she always that it was her responsibility to do so.
That is evident because even the governor himself acknowledges the role her wife played in the last election to deliver a victory for the gubernatorial seat.
In collaboration with his wife, the two equally shared to vast County whereby he concentrated on six constituencies while his wife campaigned in the remaining six.
This concerted effort of Caroline cannot be ignored in Oparanya’s political life.
Wycliffe Oparanya Education Profile
Oparanya pursued his primary school education at Mabole, joined Butere Boys High School for ‘O’ Level and Kisii High School for ‘A’ Level education.
After that, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya went ahead and secured a profession in accounting through acquiring Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Nairobi. He later pursued an MBA, Finance option in the same institution of higher learning.
Today, he is undertaking a Ph.D. at the University of Dar-es Salaam, Tanzania in Economics.
Other than possessing these professional and educational papers, Oparanya is also a member of the ICPAK (Certified Public Accountants of Kenya) as a Certified Public Accountant.
Wycliffe Oparanya Job History/Professional Career
Hon. Oparanya has about 23 years of practice in Audit and Business Consultancy as well as in both International and local Finance Management.
He was conferred with the prestigious recognition in 2014 for his role or input to the accounting profession. This imported award led to his being a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (FCPA).
Other than the professional bodies mentioned above, Oparanya also serves as a member of several additional professional bodies.
Wycliffe Oparanya Political career
Today, Oparanya is serving his second term as a governor of Kakamega County under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
Before going for the gubernatorial seat, he was a Member of the National Assembly of Kenya for one five-year term starting 2007, representing Butere Constituency. He joined politics and successfully unseated Amukowa Anangwe, the then Member of Parliament for Butere constituency. These are positions he secured through the Kenyan parliamentary election.
He was appointed in the final term of Kibaki regime as a Minister in the Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030.
This is a position he held for five years since 2008 after being seconded by the then Prime Minister Raila Odinga, representing the Orange Democratic Movement party in the grant coalition government in Kibaki’s second term in office.
Before giving a shot in politics in 2002, he worked as Chief Financial Controller at the Kenya Aerotec Ltd.
Currently, Oparanya is a member of NASA’s affiliate party, ODM. In the 4 March 2013 general elections in Kenya, he was elected by the people of Kakamega County as their first Governor, a position he successfully defended in the August 8, 2017, elections under the ODM ticket.
Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya Net worth
Today, Oparanya earns close to one million Kenya shillings every month.
However, according to one of his speeches, the governor made it open that his wealth is enough and was accumulated during his tenure as a Member of Parliament for Butere constituency.
Like mentioned before, he served in that position for two consecutive terms since 2002. Other money was accrued when he was appointed a minister for Planning and Vision 2030 in the grand coalition regime.
To restore public confidence in his leadership, the governor said that his accumulated wealth is enough to sustain him and his family for many years and, as a result, he is not interested in looting the county funds.
Wycliffe Oparanya Controversies
Not once or twice is the governor questioned about the misappropriation of public funds in Kakamega County government.
He has also in the recent past been questioned by the Senate committee for finance regarding his failure to honor their summons to reply to the allegations.
All said, Oparanya was, however, the Kakamega County Assembly cleared from these claims because of lack of supporting the proof.
FURTHER READING: Boni Khalwale Biography
