Former Bungoma governor Wycliffe Wangamati spent Monday night behind bars after surrendering himself to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in Nairobi over a KSh70 million embezzlement case.
The ex-governor walked into Integrity Centre following formal summons by investigators, only to be escorted later to Kilimani Police Station pending his arraignment today, Tuesday, September 2.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), charges against Wangamati and several associates were approved after a probe into alleged diversion of county resources through proxy companies. The EACC says at least ten other individuals linked to the scandal are also under investigation.
“The accused named above are directed to report to the EACC Headquarters at 8:00 am for processing and arraignment,” EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud stated in an August 29 circular.
Political Witch-Hunt?
Speaking to reporters before being led away, Wangamati denied the charges and sensationally claimed his arrest was politically engineered by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, his longtime rival in Bungoma politics.
“People know I stand a real chance in 2027. Somebody wants to bring his brother to vie for the seat. These charges are false, and I believe I will be cleared,” Wangamati said in a video circulated online.
He, however, offered no evidence to back his claims.
Barchok Dragged In
In a parallel twist, Bomet governor Hillary Barchok also faced EACC interrogations after the High Court declined to block his summons. Barchok is accused of money laundering and illegal enrichment, allegations he insists infringe on his constitutional rights.
Crackdown Under Fire
The arrests mark the latest in EACC’s stepped-up war on graft, which has netted several sitting and former county bosses. Yet critics argue the agency is chasing headlines rather than justice.
Lawyer Danstan Omari and lobby group Sheria Mtaani accused EACC of botched investigations that collapse in court, undermining Kenya’s anti-graft fight.
“EACC dramatises arrests without building solid cases. That’s why convictions are rare despite massive resources,” Omari said, promising to file a petition challenging the commission’s credibility.
With Wangamati and Barchok both cornered, the corruption dragnet has reignited debate on whether Kenya’s premier anti-graft agency is reforming governance—or weaponising justice for political ends.
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