Ex-Bungoma Governor Wangamati freed on Sh5 million bond

Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has been freed on Sh1.5 million cash bail after pleading not guilty to graft-related charges at the Anti-Corruption Court.

Milimani Anti-Corruption Trial Magistrate Zipporah Gichana on Tuesday delivered her ruling after hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution.

Wangamati, who was the first accused in the case, was granted a Sh5 million bond or an alternative cash bail of Sh1.5 million. He faces charges of conflict of interest.

The ex-county chief had been charged with Sh26 million fraud alongside ten individuals and eight companies in a case involving 27 counts of corruption-related offences.

The charges, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), range from fraudulent practices in procurement to the acquisition and use of proceeds of crime, as well as conflict of interest.

Wangamati appeared in court with several of his close relatives and associates, among them his brothers Simuyu and Barasa Wangamati, cousins Bramwel Wafula and Juma Swaleh, nephews Edward Makhanu and Wakoli Wafula, and niece Sandra Soita.

Others charged include Jimmy Wesesa, Christopher Masika, and Joseph Wanyonyi.

Also implicated are eight companies alleged to have been used in the fraudulent 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.

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

He is accused of receiving Sh10.5 million through Nabwana Construction Limited, drawn from payments made by the Bungoma County Government to Valeria Construction Limited.

These funds were linked to tenders for the maintenance of the Chebus–Kimama Road, road works in East Sang’alo Ward, and the spot improvement of the Minata–Malaha Road.

In a similar scheme, the governor allegedly pocketed Sh9.35 million from payments made to Kelco Builders Limited for 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, money traced to payments made to Fastec Suppliers Limited for the construction of the Kiamama Water Supply Bridge in Chesikaki.

The court also heard that other individuals and companies, 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 submitting falsified documents.

The forgeries allegedly originated from the Kenya Wildlife Service, County Government of Kwale, KENHA, KeRRA, and Credit Bank and were used to secure road construction and maintenance tenders.

All the accused denied the charges before Principal Magistrate Zipporah Gichana.

The court granted bail under varying terms, with Wangamati's siblings, Michael and Edward Wangamati, along with niece Sandra Soita, each granted a Sh1 million bond or Sh400,000 cash bail.

Bramwel Wafula and Wakoli Wafula were released on a Sh5 million bond or Sh1.5 million cash bail, while Edward Makhanu secured release on a Sh10 million bond or Sh2.5 million cash bail.

Juma Swaleh was freed on a Sh8 million bond or Sh2 million cash bail.

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