Wycliffe Oparanya is expected to replace Simon Chelugui as the Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSMEs Development. President William Ruto has nominated Mr Oparanya in his recent cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Chelugui took over a struggling Ministry, which had been downgraded to a state department with significant budget cuts and limited functions. The last substantive Minister for Co-operative Development was Joseph Nyagah in 2012 during the grand coalition government.
The Ministry of Co-operatives, initially established in 1966 alongside social services, was first led by the late Ronald Ngala under President Jomo Kenyatta’s administration. Subsequently, other Cabinet Ministers included Kamwithi Munyi, Peter Njeru Ndwiga, Nyagah, and Peter Munya, who oversaw the Ministry before it was downsized to a state department under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
Mr Oparanya is anticipated to drive the implementation of the Co-operative Bill 2024, which is expected to revitalize the sector. He previously served as the minister for planning in the grand coalition government from 2008 to 2012.
Mr Oparanya concluded his tenure as Kakamega governor in 2022, having served two terms as per the Constitution. He also chaired the Council of Governors from 2018 to 2021.
Mr Oparanya, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) K, has had an esteemed career in accounting and finance, amassing over 23 years of experience. He has worked for various companies, including Ernest & Young, where he held the position of Senior Audit Manager from 1980 to 1995. Additionally, he holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
In 1995, he joined Kenya Aerotech Co. Limited, where he served as the Secretary to the Board and later as Group Finance Controller.
Born in Butere in 1956, the 68-year-old Oparanya attended Mabole Primary School before proceeding to Butere Boys High School for his O-levels. He later attended Kisii High School for his A-levels. Oparanya pursued his Undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), at the University of Nairobi from 1977 to 1980. He returned to the same institution for his Masters in Business Administration (Finance) from 1999 to 2000.
