Kisumu City Manager, Mr Abala Wanga
Until September 2020, the name Michael Abala Wanga was unknown outside his inner circles.
However, he became synonymous with Kisumu City when he was appointed Acting Kisumu City Manager, succeeding Doris Ombara.
In March 2021, traders in the lakeside city began to experience the effects of his leadership when he demolished shops that had been built on paths and drainage systems.
All the container shops on the Akamba line, as well as those next to Pioneer and Telkom Plaza on Oginga Odinga Street, were demolished.
Shop owners were given five minutes to remove their goods from the containers before demolition.
Mr Wanga continued the demolition of small-scale kiosks and container stalls across Kisumu, describing it as a city beautification and restructuring drive aimed at improving drainage, planning and aesthetic value.
Following a series of demolitions, he earned the moniker ‘bulldozer’.
As the demolitions continued, his influence grew. At one point, residents joked that they might forget their MPs' names, but 'Abala Wanga's name was on their lips'.
He rarely backed down unless stopped by a court order, forcing disgruntled parties to rush to court.
At one point, he banned Kisumu politicians from putting up billboards and posters in the city centre.
However, the 'no-nonsense' city manager is facing an uncertain future as his past deeds begin to catch up with him, threatening to derail his political career.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is already investigating him for alleged forged academic certificates, which could affect his position and his planned bid to contest the Gem parliamentary seat.
Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga.
On Thursday, the anti-graft body summoned him to its headquarters in Nairobi over alleged misconduct, forgery and corruption.
He is accused of using forged academic certificates to secure his current job.
He is also accused of using public funds to facilitate the travel of a female non-staff member, whom he claimed to be a county employee, on an official trip to Lagos, Nigeria, from July 8-12, 2024.
Mr Wanga faces four charges, including forgery, fraudulent acquisition of public property, uttering false documents, and presenting forged certificates, under Kenya’s Penal Code, Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, and the Kenya National Examinations Council Act.
“The commission hereby directs Mr Abala Wanga, the Kisumu County City Manager, to present himself at EACC headquarters, Integrity Centre, Nairobi, immediately for processing and arraignment,” the EACC stated in a statement.
Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga.
The summons came a day after anti-graft body CEO Abdi Mohamud vowed to intensify a crackdown on fake academic certificates in the public service.
Mr Mohamud urged recruiting agencies to verify the academic certificates submitted by candidates before employing them. He vowed that individuals who secure employment using forged academic documents would not only face prosecution but also be required to refund all salaries and benefits received, as this constitutes the fraudulent acquisition of public property.
On Friday, the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court issued a warrant of arrest after Mr Wanga failed to appear in court.
Prosecutor Abdisalam Bore told the court that Mr Wanga altered the contents of a letter dated June 10, 2024, purporting to invite him to the CLEAN Air Forum in Lagos between July 8 and 12.
On June 19, 2024, at the Kisumu County offices, he allegedly presented the forged letter as an authentic invitation from the University of Lagos, enabling him to fraudulently receive Sh283,402.50 in excess facilitation payments.
The ODPP has since added more charges, including fraudulent acquisition of public property worth Sh8,701,091 from Kisumu County.
He is also accused of forging a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) showing a mean grade of C+, allegedly issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council.
Senior Principal Magistrate Zipporah Gichana issued the arrest warrant after he failed to appear before the court.
The case is scheduled for mention on November 25, 2025.
Mr Wanga held several senior positions before he was appointed City Manager, including Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Region Economic Bloc, Secretary of Kisumu Lakefront Development Corporation, and CEO of the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board.
Public documents show that he holds an MBA from Strathmore, a degree in Law from Kampala International University and a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology from Kenya Medical Training Centre.
Should Mr Wanga be found guilty, this will not only deal a blow to the powerful position he has held for years, but also to his quest to become the next Gem member of the National Assembly.
Daily Nation has reliably learnt that the EACC, through its Kisumu Regional Office, is investigating similar cases of academic papers fraud against a Kisumu County Executive Committee member, some senior officials of Kisumu County Assembly, Vihiga County Government, Maseno University, and Kaimosi University.
The investigations are almost complete, following which the suspects will be prosecuted, as well as the recovery of all the salaries fraudulently earned.
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