Kenyans are talking after getting an unexpected glimpse into the home of former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, following a visit by Senator Cleophas Malala that he documented and shared publicly.
Malala said he stopped by the home and found Oparanya in good spirits and steadily on the mend.
The two shared tea and talked about Kakamega County and its ongoing development, but it was the photos of Oparanya’s interiors that captured the public’s imagination.
Inside CS Wycliffe Oparanya’s lavish home
The centrepiece of the living area is a set of cream-blush sofas and armchairs with carved, gold-finished frames.
Deep-buttoned cushions, curved arms and ornate legs give the seating a distinctly Louis-style feel, the kind more commonly associated with grand European manor houses than a Kenyan sitting room.
A glass-topped coffee table with sculpted gold legs sits at the centre, flanked by a matching gilded side table holding a vase of fresh yellow flowers.
A low wooden stool offers a quieter contrast to the otherwise opulent setting. The walls are painted in a clean, light cream, while tall teal curtains in a damask pattern bring colour and warmth to the room.
A patterned beige rug covers the floor, and a wall-mounted light casts a soft glow across the space.
One painting in particular has drawn admiring comments: a framed artwork depicting two young girls in bright dresses, their hair styled in rounded afro puffs, seated together against a warm, sunset-coloured sky.
It adds a joyful, distinctly African touch to what would otherwise be an entirely formal European-inspired interior.
The tea table was laid with a plaid runner in beige and navy, topped with a steel flask, napkins and cups, a nod to the conversation Malala described in his message.
What did Malalah say about his visit?
Beyond the decor, Malala used the visit to reflect on Oparanya’s legacy in Kakamega.
He described the former governor as a father figure and a pillar of the county, crediting him with transforming Kakamega through roads, street lighting, healthcare improvements, agricultural development, education, and the empowerment of youth and women.
“Get well soon, Omwami! Kakamega loves you and stands with you in prayer,” he wrote in his message accompanying the photos.
Oparanya served as Kakamega governor for two terms before transitioning to national politics, and he now serves as the CS for Cooperatives and SMEs.
His recuperation has drawn well-wishes from across the political divide.
