Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga Ordered To Appear Before EACC For Grilling Over Fraud, Forgery Claims

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has summoned Kisumu County City Manager Michael Abala Wanga to present himself at the commission’s headquarters in Nairobi for processing and arraignment over multiple corruption and forgery charges.

The anti-graft agency confirmed on Thursday that it had received the concurrence of the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute Wanga following investigations into allegations of fraud and abuse of office. The commission alleges that the city manager used forged academic documents to fraudulently secure his appointment to the position.

EACC also revealed that Wanga is accused of using forged documents to facilitate travel and payment of allowances for a female non-staff member who accompanied him on official duty to Lagos, Nigeria from July 8 to 12, 2024, disguised as an employee of the County Government of Kisumu at the expense of the county .

In a statement signed by EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud, the commission directed Wanga to present himself at the EACC headquarters at Integrity Centre immediately for processing ahead of his court arraignment.

According to the summons, Wanga will face four charges including forgery contrary to section 345 as read with section 349 of the Penal Code, fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to section 45(1) as read with Section 48(1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act 2003, uttering false documents contrary to section 353 as read with section 349 of the Penal Code, and presentation of forged certificates contrary to section 34(a) of the Kenya National Examinations Council Act.

The Commission alleges that Wanga used forged academic documents to secure his appointment as Kisumu City Manager. Investigators further claim that he falsified records to include a female companion, described as a non-staff member and his girlfriend, in an official delegation to Lagos .

The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court has since issued a warrant of arrest after Wanga failed to appear in court on Friday to answer to the charges. Prosecutor Abdisalam Bore told the court that Wanga allegedly altered the contents of a letter dated June 10, 2024, purporting to invite him to the CLEAN Air Forum in Lagos between July 8 and 12, 2024.

The court heard that Wanga had acquired a total of Ksh283,402 in excess facilitation payments from the Kisumu County Government after allegedly presenting the forged letter as authentic and claiming that it had been issued by the University of Lagos .

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has added more charges against the city manager, including the fraudulent acquisition of public property worth Sh8,701,091 from Kisumu County Government. Wanga is also accused of forging a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education certificate showing a mean grade of C+, allegedly issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council, and presenting it as genuine.

Senior Principal Magistrate Zipporah Gichana issued the arrest warrant after the city manager failed to attend the court session. The case is scheduled for mention on November 25, 2025.

The summons comes as the EACC intensifies its crackdown on fake academic certificates in the public service. The commission received and has taken up for investigation a total of 549 reports of forgery of academic and professional certificates. The amount of money being sought for recovery is in the region of Ksh460 million , according to CEO Mohamud.

The EACC boss has urged recruiting agencies to verify academic certificates submitted by candidates before employing them, vowing that individuals who secure employment using forged academic documents would not only face prosecution but also be required to refund all salaries and benefits received, as this constitutes fraudulent acquisition of public property.

Wanga held several senior positions before he was appointed City Manager, including Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Region Economic Bloc, Secretary of Kisumu Lakefront Development Corporation, and CEO of the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board .

Public documents show that he holds an MBA from Strathmore, a degree in Law from Kampala International University and a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology from Kenya Medical Training Centre.

Until September 2020, the name Michael Abala Wanga was relatively unknown outside his inner circles. However, he became synonymous with Kisumu City when he was appointed Acting Kisumu City Manager, succeeding Doris Ombara. In March 2021, he began an aggressive city beautification and restructuring drive that saw him demolish shops that had been built on paths and drainage systems, earning him the moniker bulldozer among city residents.

Should Wanga be found guilty, this will not only deal a blow to the powerful position he has held for years, but also to his quest to become the next Gem member of the National Assembly .

The Daily Nation has reliably learnt that the EACC, through its Kisumu Regional Office, is investigating similar cases of academic papers fraud against a Kisumu County Executive Committee member, some senior officials of Kisumu County Assembly, Vihiga County Government, Maseno University, and Kaimosi University.

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has also raised alarm, warning that fake qualifications threaten governance and national development, stressing that recruitment must be based on competence and integrity .

The government has formed a special multi-agency task force to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in the use and production of fake academic and professional certificates. The task force includes key institutions such as the EACC, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Kenya National Examinations Council, and the Kenya National Qualifications Authority.

If convicted, Wanga faces potential fines, imprisonment, and disqualification from holding public office. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of senior county officials accused of falsifying credentials and misusing public resources for personal gain.