A recent investigation has uncovered a shocking scandal within the Homa Bay County government, where millions of public funds have been misappropriated by high-ranking officials.
This scheme, which involves fabricated documents and fake companies, has not only drained resources meant for development but has also tarnished the reputation of the county’s leadership.
At the center of this controversy is the governor, whose involvement, whether direct or indirect, has raised serious questions about her ability to lead and safeguard public resources.
The scandal revolves around a group of senior officials who allegedly conspired to siphon off Ksh 200 million meant for legitimate road projects.
Instead of using the funds to pay contractors for completed work, they created false records of pending bills for roads that were never constructed. Key figures in this scheme include Alphonce Werah, the Chief Officer for Finance, Peter Odiango, the Director of Procurement, James Wanga, the Accountant for Roads and Public Works, and Churchill Omondi Oyamo, a Procurement Officer.
These individuals are accused of forging signatures and manipulating documents to justify the illegal payments.
The money was funneled through proxy companies controlled by the accused officials. For instance, Churchill Omondi Oyamo is linked to TCHAVEK Enterprise Ltd, a company that reportedly received a massive portion of the stolen funds. Oyamo’s sudden wealth, including the construction of a multi-story building in the Arunda Katuma area, has raised eyebrows and fueled suspicions about the source of his finances.
James Wanga is alleged to have used his company, LETHI Co. Ltd, to launder county funds. This company operates several M-Pesa outlets, some of which are strategically located near prominent landmarks in Homa Bay.
What is more shocking is that the employees at these outlets are listed as county government staff, drawing salaries from taxpayer money while working for private businesses.
The governor’s spouse, George Wanga, has also been implicated in the scandal. His companies, WAPONYA Enterprise Ltd and TROIKA Enterprise Ltd, are said to have benefited from the fraudulent scheme.
Reports suggest that drivers employed by these companies were paid salaries from the county government’s payroll, further highlighting the extent of the corruption.
The consequences of this scandal are severe. The loss of Ksh 200 million has stalled critical development projects in Homa Bay, leaving residents without essential services and infrastructure.
Legitimate contractors who were supposed to be paid for their work have been left in financial distress, unable to complete their projects or pay their workers.
The mismanagement has created quite a mess harming the local economy and eroding public trust in the county government.
Residents of Homa Bay are now demanding accountability. They are calling on investigative bodies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Auditor General to conduct a thorough audit of the county’s finances.
They also want Safaricom to investigate the M-Pesa outlets linked to LETHI Co. Ltd for potential money laundering activities.
Banks are also being urged to probe transactions involving TCHAVEK Enterprise Ltd and other companies implicated in the scandal. The governor’s role in this scandal has cast a shadow over her leadership. Whether she was aware of the corruption or not, her failure to prevent such a massive theft of public funds has damaged her reputation.
The people of Homa Bay deserve leaders who prioritize their welfare and ensure that resources are used for their intended purposes.
It is now up to the relevant authorities to take swift action, recover the stolen funds, and bring those responsible to justice. Only then can the county begin to rebuild trust and move forward.
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