The Nairobi Anti-Corruption Court has postponed the plea-taking of Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga to December 19, 2025, in a case where he is accused of forging his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate.
Court documents indicate that Abala is set to face charges of fraudulently obtaining Sh8,701,091 from the Kisumu County Government between September 22, 2020, and November 30, 2024, during his tenure as City Manager.
He is further accused of forging and presenting a KCSE certificate bearing serial number 268532 to the Kisumu County Public Service Board to secure his position.
Represented by lawyer Steve Ogola, Abala informed the court that they had written to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) seeking a review of the intended charges.
“We have written to the DPP through a letter dated November 26, 2025, requesting intervention by way of recalling the file and ensuring it is complete and ready for plea. We are yet to receive a response,” Ogola told the court.
Ogola added that their letter highlighted gaps in the investigation, specifically noting that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had not recorded statements from several key Kisumu County officials.
According to the defence, the officials yet to be interviewed include the County Human Resource Director, the Kisumu City Human Resources Officer, the County Payroll Manager, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, the County Travel and Logistics Officer, and Abala’s secretary.
The DPP confirmed receiving the request and asked for seven days to issue formal directions.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Magistrate Barasa stressed that the court has no authority to direct investigative agencies on how to conduct their work.
“From the onset, this court must emphasise that it cannot instruct any investigating agency, including the EACC, on how it should carry out investigations. That authority rests with the DPP,” the magistrate said.
He added that the State had already concluded investigations and prepared two charge sheets, which formed the basis for scheduling the plea-taking.
“Upon listening to the prosecution, investigations in this matter have concluded, and that is the reason the charge sheets in both cases were drafted and filed. However, the defence has informed the court of its letter to the DPP raising several issues,” Magistrate Barasa noted.
Abala is now expected to take plea on December 19, 2025.
