Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, nine members of his family, and directors of several construction companies have been charged with fraudulent procurement and acquisition of proceeds of crime amounting to more than Sh271 million.
According to the charge sheet, the group faces 27 counts, including fraudulent procurement, conflict of interest, and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that between 2018 and 2021, the accused presented forged completion and liability certificates from various county governments and national institutions to secure lucrative road and construction tenders.
The companies named in the case include Valeria Construction Limited, Nabwala Construction Limited, Mundesi Contractors, and Skyman Freighters Limited, together with their directors. Court documents show that forged documents were purportedly issued by the Kenya Wildlife Service, the county governments of Kwale, Garissa, Uasin Gishu, Tana River, and Turkana, as well as entities such as the National Irrigation Board and Nakuru Water & Sanitation Company.
In one count, Nabwala Construction Limited and its directors, Michael Simiyu Wangamati and Barasa N. Wangamati, are accused of acquiring Sh271,271,432.50 through a Cooperative Bank account, knowing the funds were the proceeds of crime.
The accused appeared before Magistrate Zippora Gichana and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
While the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) did not oppose their release on bail, it urged the court to impose strict conditions, including surrendering passports, avoiding interference with witnesses, and refraining from public commentary on the case.
Defence lawyer Peter Wanyama called for reasonable bail, arguing that county finance officers who processed payments had not been charged, which suggested no irregularity in disbursement. He further told the court that the former governor suffers from hypertension, urging the court to consider his health in setting bond terms.
“There was no loss of public funds. Most of the accused are family members of the first accused. We ask that they be granted cash bail of Sh50,000 each,” Wanyama submitted.
Another defence lawyer, Brian Khaemba, added that some of his clients were peasant farmers and a church clerk, and asked for lenient bond terms
