Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati on Friday, April 11 underwent grilling by officers of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over his alleged involvement in a multi-million tender scandal with links to his businesses.
The ex-governor was on the spot over allegations of theft of public funds when serving as the county boss where he has been accused of illegally awarding road construction tenders to companies owned by him and his brothers.
“Following summons by EACC, former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has, today, Friday, April 11, 2025, honoured the summons and appeared before Investigators at the Commission’s Western Regional Offices in Bungoma where he is currently recording a statement,” EACC stated.
“The former Governor is a suspect in an ongoing investigation into allegations theft of public funds in Bungoma County Government through the irregular award of road construction tenders worth Ksh70,205,882 to companies linked to him and his five brothers during Financial Years 2017/18-2021/22,” the anti-graft body added.
Further, EACC noted that investigations conducted on accusations levelled at the former governor could yield criminal charges slapped on him and prosecution by the State.
“The outcome of the investigation will inform appropriate action, which may include criminal prosecution of any persons found culpable and recovery of lost public funds,” EACC asserted.
In Kenya, the punishment if found guilty of misappropriating public funds through the illegal awarding of tenders attracts monetary penalties and imprisonment.
If found guilty, one risks a fine of one million shillings, imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, or an additional mandatory fine equal to twice the amount of the benefit received or the loss incurred as a result of the corrupt act.
Wangamati, if convicted, stares at following the footsteps of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, who was recently jailed for 12 years and fined Ksh53.5 million.
Waititu was sentenced to serve five years in jail or pay a fine of Ksh2.5 million. Additionally, the court imposed a mandatory fine of Ksh51 million, with a default sentence of seven years in prison, after he was convicted of irregularly awarding tenders in Kiambu County in February 2018 during his tenure as County boss.
Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki also directed that Waititu’s wife, Susan Wangare, pay a fine of Ksh500,000 or serve a one-year prison sentence. However, the magistrate ruled that the terms would run concurrently.
The court further barred Waititu, his wife, and the co-accused from holding any public office for a period of ten years.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE