Whistleblower Takes on Homa Bay Chief Finance Officer Over Alleged Sh200M Corruption Despite Threats

A high-stakes corruption exposé in Homa Bay County has sparked a fierce battle between whistleblower Wycliffe Omondi and Chief Finance Officer Alphonce Werah, following allegations of a Sh200 million fraud scheme.

Despite facing legal threats and intimidation, Omondi remains steadfast in his pursuit of accountability.

Omondi, a vocal advocate against corruption, exposed how senior county officials, including Werah, orchestrated a fraudulent scheme to siphon public funds through fictitious road projects. His article detailed how, at the close of the 2023/2024 financial year, key county officials allegedly gathered at the governor’s residence in Olare Kochia to fabricate documents justifying payments for roads that were never built.

The exposé implicated Director of Procurement Peter Odiango, Accountant for Roads and Public Works James Wanga, and Procurement Officer for Roads Churchill Omondi Oyamo, among others. The scheme reportedly involved forging signatures of former county officials, including ex-Chief Officer for Finance Noah Otieno and former Director of Procurement Samson Okumu, to legitimize the fraudulent transactions.

Further investigation revealed that funds meant for legitimate contractors were diverted to shell companies linked to the officials. One such company, TCHAVEK Enterprise Ltd, allegedly controlled by Churchill Omondi Oyamo, received deposits into a Family Bank account in Migori, enabling Oyamo to finance multiple business ventures and construct a multi-story building in Arunda Katuma. Similarly, James Wanga allegedly laundered funds through LETHI Co. Ltd, which operates M-Pesa outlets in Homa Bay, with employees fraudulently listed as county workers drawing government salaries.

The governor’s spouse, George Wanga, was also named in the scandal.

The exposé claimed he used his companies—WAPONYA Enterprise Ltd and TROIKA Enterprise Ltd—to conduct fraudulent activities, including having drivers on the county payroll despite working for private firms.

Threats and Legal Intimidation

In response to the damning allegations, Alphonce Werah issued a legal demand letter to Omondi, accusing him of defamation and demanding the immediate removal of the article from Facebook and other platforms. Werah warned that if the post continued circulating, it could cause irreversible reputational damage, threatening legal action if Omondi failed to comply.

“If the post is not removed promptly, it could be widely shared across multiple platforms, amplifying its impact. Once such content gains traction, it becomes difficult to contain, and search engines like Google, as well as AI platforms, may permanently index it, leading to long-term reputational damage,” the letter stated.

Werah’s lawyers further warned of a defamation suit against Omondi and his associates should the post remain online, emphasizing that Kenyan courts have penalized individuals found guilty of defamation.

Omondi Stands His Ground

Undeterred by the threats, Omondi, through his legal team, dismissed Werah’s claims, affirming the accuracy of his allegations. His lawyers welcomed the prospect of a legal battle, arguing that a court case would provide an opportunity to present evidence and expose the full extent of corruption within Homa Bay County.

“We stand by every statement made in the exposé. If Mr. Werah and his associates believe they have been wronged, they should take this matter to court, where the truth will come to light,” Omondi’s legal representatives asserted.