Ex-Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, 11 co-accused arraigned over alleged graft
They are alleged to have submitted falsified completion and liability certificates from various county governments and institutions to win multi-million road and construction tenders between 2018 and 2021.
Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, along with 11 former senior officers and county contractors, has been charged at Milimani Law Courts over alleged graft.
According to the charge sheet, Wangamati and his 11 co-accused face 27 counts, including fraudulent procurement, conflict of interest and money laundering.
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They are alleged to have submitted falsified completion and liability certificates from various county governments and institutions to secure multi-million shilling road and construction tenders between 2018 and 2021.
The tenders were awarded through Valeria Construction Limited, Nabwala Construction Limited, Mundesi Contractors, and Skyman Freighters Limited.
The companies and their officials reportedly presented forged documents from the Kenya Wildlife Service, the county governments of Kwale, Garissa, Uasin Gishu, Tana River, and Turkana, as well as institutions such as the National Irrigation Board and the Nakuru Water and Sanitation Company.
In one count, Nabwala Construction Limited and its directors, including Michael Wangamati and Barasa Wangamati, are accused of acquiring Sh271 million in a Cooperative Bank account, knowing the funds were proceeds of crime.
During Tuesday's plea hearing, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), through Vincent Monda, told the court it was not opposed to the accused being released on bail but urged the court to impose strict terms, including depositing their passports, refraining from interfering with witnesses, and avoiding public commentary on the case.
Defence lawyer Peter Wanyama requested reasonable bail, arguing that the finance department officials who handled payments were not charged, suggesting no irregularity in disbursement.
Wanyama added that the accused had cooperated with investigators and highlighted that Wafula Wangamati suffers from hypertension, urging the court to consider his health in bail terms.
"There was no loss of funds, and please consider that most of the suspects are related to the first accused, so they are from one family. Please grant them a cash bail of Sh50,000 each", he told the court.
The court directed that bail terms would be issued after considering submissions from both sides.
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