Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati has been charged with 27 counts of corruption-related offences linked to fraudulent procurement deals worth over Ksh.26 million.
Wangamati appeared before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court alongside ten individuals — including close relatives — and eight companies allegedly used in the scandal. The charges, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), include fraudulent procurement practices, conflict of interest, and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
Prosecutors revealed that between May 2020 and June 2021, Wangamati allegedly benefited from county payments funneled through companies tied to his family. He is accused of pocketing Ksh.10.5 million via Nabwana Construction Limited, another Ksh.9.35 million through Kelco Builders Limited, and Ksh.6.5 million from payments to Fastec Suppliers Limited.
Those charged with him include his brothers Simuyu and Barasa Wangamati, cousins Bramwel Wafula and Juma Swaleh, nephews Edward Makhanu and Wakoli Wafula, and niece Sandra Soita. Others named are Jimmy Wesesa, Christopher Masika, and Joseph Wanyonyi.
The companies facing charges are 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.
The accused are further alleged to have submitted forged documents from government agencies including KWS, KeRRA, KENHA, and Credit Bank to fraudulently secure tenders.
All the suspects denied the charges before Principal Magistrate Ziporah Gichana. Wangamati was released on a Ksh.5 million bond or Ksh.1.5 million cash bail, while his co-accused were granted bonds ranging from Ksh.1 million to Ksh.10 million, with cash bail options.
