Ex-Bungoma Governor Wangamati, two brothers, cousins, nephews and niece charged with Sh.26 million fraud.

BY ERIC ABUGA

Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati has been charged alongside 10 individuals and eight companies with 27 counts of corruption-related offences amounting to millions of shillings in fraudulent procurement deals.

The charges, brought by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), include engaging in a fraudulent practice in procurement, acquisition of proceeds of crime, use of proceeds of crime, and conflict of interest.

Wangamati appeared before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court together with close family members and associates. Among those charged were his brothers Simuyu Wangamati and Barasa Wangamati, cousins Bramwel Wafula and Juma Swaleh, nephews Edward Makhanu and Wakoli Wafula, and niece Sandra Soita.

Others facing charges include Jimmy Wesesa, Christopher Masika, and Joseph Wanyonyi, along with eight companies alleged to have been used in the schemes.

Prosecution told court that between May 20, 2020 and June 12, 2021, while serving as county boss, Wangamati used Nabwana Construction Limited, a company owned by his siblings, to illegally benefit from county payments amounting to tens of millions of shillings.

The court heard that Wangamati received Sh.10.5 millionthrough Nabwana Construction Limited from payments made by the County Government of Bungoma to Valeria Construction Limited.

The funds were linked to three tenders; maintenance of the Chebus–Kimama Road, maintenance of roads in East Sang’alo Ward, and spot improvement of the Minata–Malaha Road.

In a similar scheme, Wangamati reportedly pocketed Sh 9.35 million from payments to Kelco Builders Limitedtied to the maintenance of Matisi–Omindo Road and another road in Misikhu Ward.

He is further accused of receiving  Sh 6.5 million through Nabwana Construction Limited from payments to Fastec Suppliers Limitedfor the construction of the Kiamama Water Supply Bridge in Chesikaki.

In addition, several companies and individuals, including Valeria Construction Limited, Wakoli Wafula, Edward Makhanu, Juma Swaleh, Mundesi Contractors Limited, Bramwel Wafula, Kelco Builders Limited, Nabweso Builders Limited, Fastec Suppliers Limited, Nasikhab Civil Contractors Limited, Jimmy Wesesa, Christopher Masika, and Joseph Wanyonyi, were jointly charged with fraudulent practices.

They allegedly submitted false documents purportedly from the Kenya Wildlife Service, County Government of Kwale, KENHA, KeRRA, and Credit Bank in order to secure road construction and maintenance tenders.

All the accused persons denied the chargesbefore Principal Magistrate Ziporah Gichana.

Wangamati was released on a Sh 5 million bond or alternative cash bail of Sh 1.5 million. His siblings Michael and Edward Wangamati, along with niece Sandra Soita, were each given a Sh 1 million bond or Sh 400,000 cash bail. 

Bramwel Wafula and Wakoli Wafula were released on Sh 5 million bondor Sh 1.5 million cash bail. Edward Makhanu secured release on a Sh 10 million bond or Sh 2.5 million cash bail, while Juma Swaleh was freed on a Sh 8 million bondor Sh 2 million cash bail.

Co-accused Jimmy Wesesa, Christopher Masika, and Joseph Wanyonyi were each granted a Sh 1 million bond or cash bail of Sh 250,000.