Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya appeared in court for the trial of a case in which he is charged with incitement leading to arson of houses, destruction of property and injuries to four family members two years ago.
Last Wednesday, Oparanya presented himself before a Butere court to have a warrant of arrest against him lifted after skipping a court date a week earlier.
Yesterday Oparanya entered the courtroom escorted by his chief of staff Nabii Nabwera, CEC member for Lands and Urban Planning Alfred Matianyi and security detail at around 1.20pm to stand trial before Kakamega senior principal magistrate Samuel Wahome.
The governor was summoned after the High court threw out his appeal to challenge his prosecution over the offense he allegedly committed at Emabole village in Butere Sub County on April 26th 2014.
Prosecution of the case was delayed to allow the superior court to determine whether the governor’s rights were violated as alleged in suit papers.
However, Oparanya did not plead to the charges after the prosecution informed the court it will seek to consolidate the case with a similar file where eleven suspects including MCAs are jointly charged.
Oparanya faces two counts of incitement to violence and destruction of property. It is alleged that on April 26th, 2014 at Emabole village in Butere sub-county, without lawful excuse, uttered words; “Kimila mpaka ifanyike, boma itandazwe and “eject that man from the compound and let him be killed,” deemed to be inciting.
According to the prosecution, the governor’s remarks precipitated a march on Wilshan Malele Abong’o’s home, injuring him and his family including Emily Matika Malele, Roseline Linet Okutoyi and George Namale Malele, burning of three houses and destruction of property.