Barchok and Wangamati spend night in custody ahead of arraignment on graft charges
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission confirmed it had received approval from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute Barchok, Wangamati, and several company directors linked to the cases.
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and former Bungoma governor Wycliffe Wangamati will spend the night in custody at Kilimani Police Station ahead of their arraignment on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
The two leaders, alongside 11 associates, were arrested following investigations into alleged misuse of public funds and irregular procurement practices in their respective counties.
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Barchok was taken into custody on Monday, September 1, after being grilled by investigators, before being transferred to Kilimani Police Station to spend the night in detention. He is expected in court on Tuesday to face multiple corruption charges.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confirmed it had received approval from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to prosecute Barchok, Wangamati, and several company directors linked to the cases.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, approved charges against Governor Barchok following investigations by the EACC,” the commission said.
“The charges include conflict of interest, money laundering, unlawful acquisition of public property, and acquisition of proceeds of crime.”
Barchok and Evans Kipkoech Korir, a director at Chemasus Construction Limited, are accused of a conflict of interest in procurement dealings within the County Government of Bomet.
The ODPP has ordered them to appear in court to answer charges related to conflict of interest and unlawful property acquisition through county contracts worth Sh2.75 million.
Wangamati and his officials, on the other hand, are accused of embezzling more than Sh70 million through tenders awarded during his tenure as Bungoma governor.
Legal blow
On Monday, Barchok suffered a legal blow after the High Court declined to block his arrest and arraignment.
In his application, he argued that the charges were baseless, malicious, and intended to damage his reputation.
He maintained that the payment he received from Chemasus Construction Limited was a legitimate lease transaction unrelated to the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).
“Even a basic investigation would have shown that no conflict of interest existed,” Barchok argued in court.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye directed that the petition be served on the respondents, including the EACC, and scheduled a mention for September 7 to confirm compliance.
The EACC said both governors had been summoned on Friday to answer corruption-related allegations.
“We have received consent from the ODPP to charge the two alongside several associates and company directors linked to their cases,” the commission stated.
Barchok and Wangamati, together with their associates, are now expected in court on Tuesday as investigations into their alleged misuse of public funds proceed.
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