Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has been released on a Ksh5 million bond after spending a night in police custody following his arrest on corruption-related charges.
The ex-county chief was granted bail by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday, September 2, after being arraigned to face multiple graft allegations stemming from his tenure as governor between 2018 and 2022.
The magistrate presiding over the case set stringent bail conditions for Wangamati, who appeared as the fourth accused person in the corruption case.
The court offered him two options to secure his freedom: post a bond of Ksh5 million or pay a cash bail of Ksh1.5 million.
The former governor was granted release pending the mention and determination of his case, which has been scheduled for September 18, 2024.
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Wangamati did not appear alone in court, as several co-accused individuals were also charged with the corruption scandal.
His co-defendants have been charged with engaging in fraudulent procurement practices that violate Public Procurement Laws, highlighting the extensive nature of the alleged corruption network.
The former governor's legal troubles intensified on Monday, September 1, when he was detained alongside ten other individuals following an intensive interrogation session at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) headquarters.
Following the prolonged questioning, Wangamati and his co-accused were transported to Kilimani Police Station in an EACC vehicle, where they were held overnight before their court appearance.
Wangamati's prosecution received official backing on Thursday, August 28, when the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) greenlit the charges following extensive investigations by the EACC.
The ODPP's decision came after thorough investigations into suspected corrupt practices within Bungoma County's operations during Wangamati's administration.
The probe uncovered what investigators describe as systematic irregularities in procurement processes and alleged misappropriation of public resources.
Central to the allegations is a web of private companies allegedly used as conduits for diverting county funds.
These entities, including Skyman Freighters Ltd, Nabwala Construction Ltd, Fastec Suppliers Ltd, and Nabweso Builders Ltd, are accused of being vehicles for siphoning public money through questionable contracts.
The corruption case extends beyond Wangamati to include several family members and close associates. Among those implicated are his relatives Michael Simiyu Wangamati, Nicholas Wangamati, and Edward Barasa Wangamati.
The co-accused list also includes associates and company directors such as Edward Makhanu, Silvan Wangamati, Maurice Marango, and Joseph Khaemba, suggesting an extensive network of individuals allegedly involved in the corruption scheme.
