Ex-Bungoma Governor Wangamati, Family Deny Graft Charges as Court Sets Tough Bail Terms

Former Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, his nine relatives, and some directors of companies have entered a plea of not guilty to money laundering proceeds of crime and fraudulent procurement worth over Ksh.271 million.

The suspects are charged with 27 counts of fraudulent procurement, conflict of interest, and money laundering related to multi-million-shilling tenders for roads and construction contracts procured between 2018 and 2021.

Bail Terms Set

Magistrate Zippora Gichana released Wangamati on a Ksh.5 million bond or an alternative cash bail of Ksh.1.5 million. The sixth and seventh accused were granted similar terms, while the second, third, and fifth accused received Ksh.400,000 cash bail each. The fourth accused was handed a heavier Ksh.10 million bond.

The court directed all the accused persons to comply with strict conditions. They are to hand over their passports, not interact with witnesses, and not make public statements regarding the case.

Defence Plea for Leniency

Defence lawyer Peter Wanyama urged the court to show leniency, arguing that the accused should not face stringent bail requirements since no public funds were lost. He noted that finance officials who authorized the disputed payments were not arrested, a sign that the disbursements were made in good faith.

“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 Ksh.50,000 each,” Wanyama pleaded.

He further told the court that the former governor suffers from hypertension and urged the magistrate to consider his health in setting bail terms.

Another defence lawyer, Brian Khaemba, added that some of the accused are peasant farmers and even a church clerk, insisting that stiff bail requirements would be excessive given their modest means.

Companies and Forged Documents

Among those charged are Valeria Construction Limited, Nabwala Construction Limited, Mundesi Contractors, and Skyman Freighters Limited. Investigators allege that the firms presented forged documents, including completion and liability certificates, purportedly issued by county governments and state institutions such as the Kenya Wildlife Service, 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 allegedly received Ksh.271,271,432.50 through a Cooperative Bank account, fully aware that the money represented proceeds of crime.

Next Steps in Trial

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) did not oppose bail but insisted on close monitoring to safeguard the integrity of the case. The trial was to reveal how the alleged fake procurement scams were done and whether county funds had been redirected into private pockets.

For now, Wangamati and his co-accused remain free on bail as they prepare to battle the charges in court.

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