Kisumu County City Manager Michael Abala Wanga appeared in court
Tuesday for further directions in ongoing proceedings concerning allegations of
financial misconduct and abuse of office.
The mention followed previous court
orders issued on November 25, 2025,
and submissions by both the accused and the prosecution regarding compliance
with those orders.
During the session, counsel for the
accused, Steve Ogola, informed
the court that Wanga had appeared before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission
(EACC) on November 26, 2025, as
directed, but was not given an opportunity to record a statement under inquiry.
While statements under charge and
caution had been recorded, Ogola said this was done under protest and requested
that the court ensure his client could record the statement as previously
ordered.
He also asked that the bond be
extended and plea-taking deferred until the statement is recorded.
The prosecution submitted that the
accused had already recorded statements on November 17, 2021, and February
21, 2025, under charge and caution.
The Office of the DPP further
requested that the court clarify that the pending statement is to be recorded under
charge and caution and sought a one-week deferment of plea to allow review of
issues raised by the accused’s counsel.
After hearing submissions, Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate
Harrison Barasa directed that a further ruling will be delivered on December 3, 2025, at 10 am.
The ruling will address the accused’s
request to record a statement and the DPP’s application to defer plea-taking.
The court also extended the bond for Wanga until Wednesday,
December 3, pending further directions.
According to the Office of the DPP, Wanga
faces multiple allegations,
including forgery, alteration of official documents and fraudulent acquisition
of public funds.
The prosecution states that he
allegedly tampered with documents, including a letter dated June 10, 2024, which purported to
invite him to the CLEAN Air Forum in Lagos, Nigeria.
The letter was reportedly used to
secure facilitation payments from the Kisumu County Government.
The DPP further alleges that Wanga
presented a forged invitation letter, reportedly originating from the
University of Lagos, to facilitate receipt of Sh283,402.50, and acquired Sh8,701,091
in public funds through fraudulent means.
He is also alleged to have presented
a forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary
Education (KCSE) purportedly issued by the Kenya National Examinations
Council (KNEC).
A summon to the EACC and consequent court
process began following an investigation carried out by the commission.
In March 2025, EACC completed its
investigations into allegations surrounding Wanga and forwarded the file to the
DPP for further action.
A petition submitted to authorities
called for the city boss’s prosecution, citing records indicating that his primary
and secondary school certificates were falsified.
The court will deliver further directions on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
