Sh200M Mega Scandal In Homa Bay County Roads Department

200 MILLION MEGA SCANDAL IN HOMABAY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ROADS.

Corruption has cast a dark shadow over Homa Bay County, with an explosive exposé revealing the systematic looting of Ksh 200 million by senior officials. At the centre of this scandal are top county leaders, including Chief Officer for Finance Mr. Alphonce Werah, Director of Procurement Mr. Peter Odiango, Accountant for Roads and Public Works Mr. James Wanga, and Procurement Officer for Roads Mr. Churchill Omondi Oyamo, who are accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme involving fictitious pending bills for non-existent road projects.

At the close of the 2023/2024 financial year, these officials convened at the Governor’s residence in Olare Kochia, where they fabricated documents to justify payments for roads that do not exist. Forged and uplifted signatures of former county officers, including Mr. Noah Otieno (former Chief Officer for Finance), Mr. Samson Okumu (Director of Procurement), and County head of accounts Mr. Dan Lieta, were used to legitimize the fraud. The funds initially intended to pay genuine contractors for historical pending bills, were instead diverted to proxies and shell companies controlled by the implicated officials.

One of the key players, Mr. Churchill Omondi Oyamo, allegedly channeled the stolen funds through a proxy company, TCHAVEK Enterprise Ltd, with deposits made into a Family Bank account in Migori. This sudden influx of wealth has reportedly enabled Mr. Oyamo to establish multiple businesses and nearly complete a multi-story building at Arunda Katuma area, raising suspicions about the source of his funds.

Similarly, Accountant for Roads, Mr. James Wanga, is accused of using his company, LETHI Co. Ltd, to launder money. The company operates M-Pesa outlets, some of which are located near Homa Bay Travelers Hotel and opposite Equity Bank. Shockingly, staff employed in these outlets are listed with PF numbers as county government employees, drawing salaries funded by taxpayers. In addition, Mr. James Wanga is said to have rapidly accumulated significant wealth, including a nearly completed multi-story building in the Milimani area near Got Rabuor.

George Wanga Governor’s spouse is also implicated in the scandal. Using his companies, WAPONYA Enterprise Ltd and TROIKA Enterprise Ltd, he is alleged to have engaged in corrupt practices, with drivers employed by these companies reportedly drawing salaries from the county government. This blatant misuse of public resources underscores the depth of the rot within the administration.

The brazen theft of Ksh 200 million has had far-reaching consequences, stalling development projects and denying legitimate contractors their payments. This scandal highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation and accountability. Authorities such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Salary Renumeration Commission (SRC) and the Auditor General must act swiftly to audit the county’s finances and the forged road documents to recover stolen funds, and prosecute those responsible. Safaricom Ltd under Mpesa unit should swiftly also investigate LETHI Co. Ltd’s Head Office and its M-Pesa outlets for potential money laundering activities, while the banking sector must scrutinize financial transactions linked to TCHAVEK Enterprise Ltd and other implicated entities.

Homa Bay residents deserve leadership that prioritizes public welfare over personal enrichment. This scandal is a stark reminder of the destructive impact of corruption on governance and development. It is imperative that all stakeholders remain vigilant and demand transparency and accountability from their leaders to ensure that public funds serve their intended purpose. As investigations unfold, justice must prevail to restore faith in the county’s administration and deter future corruption.

Wycliffe Omondi, Advocates for Accountability in Homa-Bay County.