The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has completed its probe into allegations that Kisumu’s Acting City Manager, Michael Abala Wanga, used forged academic certificates to obtain his position. The case file has now been handed over to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further action.
A petition calling for Wanga’s prosecution cited evidence suggesting that his primary and secondary school certificates were falsified. In a letter dated January 27, 2022, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) confirmed the certificates were not genuine.
The investigation, initially handled by the EACC’s Western Regional Office for five years, was later escalated to Integrity Centre in Nairobi. Following a leadership review, the commission expedited the process, finalizing investigations within weeks before submitting the case to the ODPP.
Despite these developments, Wanga remains in office, overseeing critical county projects, including revenue collection across 14 wards. Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has yet to take action, raising concerns about accountability within the county government.
Several oversight bodies, including the Controller of Budget, the Auditor-General, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, have been informed of the case. Governance organizations such as the Law Society of Kenya and Transparency International have also been notified.
Beyond the forgery allegations, Wanga has faced criticism over his remarks on land ownership. He has repeatedly suggested that landowners who do not develop their property should sell to those with financial means.
His statements have drawn backlash from property owners and legal experts, who argue that such views undermine land ownership rights. Some stakeholders in the real estate sector see his stance as an attempt to influence land policies beyond his authority, creating pressure on landowners to act against their will.
Wanga has also made public remarks suggesting that those holding undeveloped land should not retain it indefinitely, further fueling controversy.
As scrutiny over his leadership intensifies, questions continue to arise about whether his continued stay in office serves the public interest. The ODPP is now reviewing the case, with growing anticipation over potential legal action.