Former Governor Wangamati Pleads Not Guilty in Kes31.8M Corruption Charges
02:09:2025: Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of corruption and conflict of interest involving more than Kes31 million in alleged kickbacks from construction companies that received tenders from the county government during his administration.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Zipporah Gichana at the Anti-Corruption Court in Milimani, Wangamati was charged with four counts of conflict of interest. The charges accuse him of using his influence as governor to improperly benefit from payments made by the Bungoma County Government to companies involved in road and infrastructure projects. At the centre of the allegations is Nabwala Construction Limited—a company owned by Wangamati’s brothers, Michael Simiyu Wangamati and Edward Barasa Wangamati—which allegedly acted as a conduit for the kickbacks.
In one of the key charges, Wangamati is accused of receiving Kes10.5 million between May 2020 and June 2021 from Nabwala Construction Limited. The funds were allegedly part of the payments made by the County to Valerie Construction for maintenance works on Chebus–Kimama Road, roads in East Sangalo Ward, and the Minata–Malaha Road.
In a separate count, he is alleged to have received Kes5.43 million between July 2020 and September 2021, also from Nabwala Construction, following county payments to Mundesi Contractors Ltd for roadworks in Bukembe West Ward and improvements on the Trans West–Wambu Road.
The third charge accuses him of receiving Kes9.35 million from the same company, sourced from payments to Kelco Builders Ltd for maintenance work on Matis–Omindo Road and roads in Misikhu Ward. The final charge alleges that Wangamati received Kes6.5 million connected to a tender awarded to Fastec Suppliers Ltd for the construction of the Kiamama Water Supply Bridge at Chesikaki.
Mr. Wangamati and some of his co-accused surrendered early yesterday at the Integrity Centre, EACC’s Headquarters in Nairobi. This followed a summons by the Commission, which required them to appear for processing and arraignment following investigations into the embezzlement of public funds.
The former Governor is charged alongside 18 others, including his two brothers and several individuals linked to companies that allegedly received irregular payments from the county. Among the co-accused are Edward Maaya Makhanu, Sandra Soita, Wakoli Chesititi, Bramwel Wafula, Juma Swaleh Juma, Jimmy Wekesa, Christopher Masika, and Joseph Wanyonyi. A number of companies they are associated with were also charged, including Valerie Construction Ltd, Mundesi Contractors Ltd, Kelco Builders Ltd, Nabweso Builders Ltd, Fastec Suppliers Ltd, Nasikhab Civil Contractors Ltd, and Skyman Freighters Ltd.
The accused face a variety of charges related to fraudulent procurement practices, including falsifying documents to win tenders and engaging in transactions that constitute a conflict of interest. They are also charged with acquiring and using proceeds of corruption.
All the accused pleaded not guilty and were granted bond by the Court. Wangamati, as the first accused, was released on a bond of Kes5 million or a cash bail of Kes1.5 million. His brothers, Michael and Edward, were released on bonds of Kes1 million or cash bails of Kes400,000 each, the same terms granted to Sandra Soita. Edward Makhanu was given the highest bond, at Kes10 million or a cash bail of Kes2.5 million. Wakoli Chesititi and Bramwel Wafula were given bond terms similar to the former governor’s, while Juma Swaleh Juma was released on a bond of Kes8 million or a cash bail of Kes2 million. Three others—Jimmy Wekesa, Christopher Masika, and Joseph Wanyonyi—were each granted bond of Kes1 million or a cash bail of Kes250,000.
The Director of Public Prosecutions did not object to the bond terms. The case is set for mention on September 18, 2025, when it will come up for further directions.
