Ex-Bungoma Governor Wangamati, relatives and associates charged with Sh26 million fraud

Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati has been charged alongside ten 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.

Prosecution was led by Vincent Monda, assisted by Mercy Gateru, Alex Akula, Wesley Nyamache, and Delroy Mwasaru.

Wangamati appeared before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Courttogether 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: Nabwana Construction Limited, Mundesi Contractors Limited, Valeria Construction Limited, Kelco Builders Limited, Nabweso Builders Limited, Fastec Suppliers Limited, Civil Contractors Limited, Nasikhab Civil Contractors Limited, and Skyman Freighters Limited.

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 Ksh.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 Sh9.35 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 Sh6.5 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.

The court granted bail to the group.

Wangamati was released on a Sh5 million bond or alternative cash bail of Sh1.5 million. His siblings Michael and Edward Wangamati, along with niece Sandra Soita, were each given a Sh1 million bond or Sh400,000 cash bail. Bramwel Wafula and Wakoli Wafula were released on Sh5 million bondor Sh1.5 million cash bail. Edward Makhanu secured release on a Sh10 million bondor Sh2.5 million cash bail, while Juma Swaleh was freed on a Sh8 million bondor Sh2 million cash bail.

Co-accused Jimmy Wesesa, Christopher Masika, and Joseph Wanyonyi were each granted a Sh1 million bond or cash bail of Sh250,000.