Pressure is mounting on Kisumu’s Acting City Manager, Abala Wanga, as allegations of forged academic credentials and abuse of office continue to cast a shadow over his tenure.
For more than five years, these claims have lingered unresolved, eroding public trust in the leadership of Kisumu County. The situation has now reached a critical point, with a governance oversight body, the Public Property Protector (Triple P), petitioning the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute Wanga and recover all public funds he allegedly earned unlawfully during his time in office.
This development has brought renewed attention to the case, with many questioning how such serious allegations could remain unaddressed for so long.
Cyprian Nyakundi, a prominent figure known for exposing corruption and malpractice, has been instrumental in bringing this issue to light. His relentless efforts to uncover the truth have played a big role in ensuring that Wanga’s case does not fade into thin air.
Nyakundi’s work has highlighted the importance of accountability and transparency in public office, and his involvement has galvanized stakeholders to demand action.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has taken decisive steps, retrieving Wanga’s case file from its Western Region office and transferring it to the Integrity Centre in Nairobi.
The EACC, led by Chairperson Bishop (Dr.) David Oginde and CEO Mr. Mohamud Abdi, concluded its investigations within three weeks and submitted the case to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for legal action.
Despite this progress, Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has yet to take any action, leaving Wanga in charge of key county operations despite the serious allegations against him.
The situation has sparked outrage among residents and critics alike, who are baffled that a county led by one of Kenya’s most distinguished scholars could allow an individual accused of forging his primary and secondary school certificates to remain in such a critical position.
Wanga’s continued presence in office is particularly concerning given the responsibilities he holds, including oversight of multi-billion-shilling donor-funded projects and authority to manage revenue collection across fourteen wards in Kisumu City.
Critics argue that this represents a blatant disregard for transparency, integrity, and meritocracy, raising serious concerns about governance and financial accountability in the county.
Triple P has called on DPP Renson Mulele Ingonga to expedite Wanga’s prosecution and initiate proceedings to recover all taxpayer funds earned during what they describe as a fraudulent tenure.
The group insists that Wanga’s continued stay in office undermines accountability and sets a dangerous precedent, where individuals who ascend to power through dishonest means can evade scrutiny with impunity.
The petition has been widely circulated among key oversight agencies, including the Controller of Budget (Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o), the Auditor-General (Nancy Gathungu), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Transparency International, the Commission on Administrative Justice, and the World Bank Kenya Office.
These institutions are now under pressure to act swiftly and decisively to address the allegations.
Residents of Kisumu are growing increasingly impatient with what they perceive as a deliberate cover-up by the county government.
Many have vowed to escalate their campaign until Wanga is removed from office and held accountable for his actions. Beyond the petition challenging his academic credentials, Wanga has also been at the center of controversy due to a series of inflammatory remarks, particularly on matters concerning land ownership in Kisumu.
On multiple occasions, he has clashed with landowners, even issuing direct threats in the presence of senior national leaders. His assertion that individuals who fail to develop their properties should be compelled to sell them to “people who have money” has alarmed property owners and raised concerns about potential coercion and abuse of office.
These statements have been widely condemned as an overreach of his mandate, with critics accusing him of pushing a reckless agenda that disregards private property rights and exposes legitimate landowners to intimidation.
The spotlight remains firmly on Abala Wanga and the authorities tasked with addressing these allegations. The people of Kisumu are watching closely, demanding justice and accountability in a case that has come to symbolize the broader challenges of governance and integrity in public office. With figures like Cyprian Nyakundi leading the charge for transparency, there is hope that the truth will prevail and that those responsible for undermining public trust will be held to account.
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