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Former Bungoma governor Wangamati charged in Sh10m corruption scandal
Former Bungoma governor Wycliffe Wangamati (far left) with his fellow co-accused persons in court over anti-corruption charges.
The arraignment of former Bungoma County governor Wycliffe Wangamati on Tuesday over graft has set the stage for a drawn-out legal and political battle.
Anti-graft detectives on Tuesday revealed how county funds were allegedly siphoned through relatives and proxy firms.
Mr Wangamati, who was charged alongside his relatives and eight companies, is said to have received money for tenders granted to the firms while he served as governor.
One of the counts stated that Nabwala Construction Ltd, whose directors Michael Simiyu Wangamati and Edward Barasa Wangamati are his siblings, received Sh10.5 million from Valeria Construction Ltd, which had been contracted to maintain roads in the county.
The charge sheet stated that the funds were paid to Valeria Construction for a tender for the routine maintenance of Chebus-Kimama road, roads in East Sangalo ward and spot improvement of Minata- Malaha Road.
Another count stated that he allegedly received Sh5.4 million through Nabwala Construction from monies paid to Mundesi Construction Ltd between July 9, 2020 and September 27, 2021, for periodic maintenance of roads in Bukembe West ward and spot improvement of Trans West- Wambu Road.
A third count stated that Nabwala Construction received Sh9.3 million between May 12, 2020 and July 12, 2021, part of the money paid to Kelco Builders Ltd for periodic maintenance of Matisi-Omindo road, and roads in Misikhu ward.
A fourth count alleged that Nabwala Construction received Sh6.5 million from money paid to Fastec Suppliers Ltd for the construction of the Kiamana Supply Bridge at Chesikaki.
The former governor was ordered to deposit a cash bail of Sh1.5 million or an alternative bond of Sh5 million and a surety of the same amount to secure his release.
Mr Edward Makhaya Makhanu, who was charged alongside Mr Wangamati and faced 16 counts, was released on a bond of Sh10 million or cash bail of Sh2.5 million.
Mr Juma Swaleh Juma was released on a Sh8 million bond with the alternative of a cash bail of Sh2 million, while Jimmy Barasa Wekesa, Christopher Masika and Joseph Khaemba were released on a bond of Sh1 million or a cash bail of Sh250,000, each.
Ms Sandra Nasambu Soita was released on a bond of Sh1 million or a cash bail of Sh400,000, so were Mr Michael Simiyu and Mr Edward Barasa. Mr Wakoli Wafula Chesititi and Mr Bramwel Mukewa Wafula were released on a bond of Sh5million or a cash bail of Sh1.5 million each.
The directors of the construction companies were accused of engaging in fraudulent procurement practices and the acquisition of proceeds of crime amounting to over Sh271 million. Those charged are Valeria Construction, Nabwala Construction, Mundesi Contractors, Skyman Freighters, and their directors.
They also faced other charges ranging from fraudulent procurement to conflict of interest and money laundering.
It is alleged that they falsified completion and liability certificates from various county governments and institutions to win multi-million road and construction tenders between 2018 and 2021.
