A man identifying himself as an Advocate for Accountability in Homa Bay County, Wycliffe Omondi, has revealed a shocking case of systemic corruption within the county’s administration. Omondi claims that corruption has permeated deep into Homa Bay County, with an explosive exposé unveiling the illicit diversion of Ksh 200 million by senior county officials.
At the heart of this scandal are prominent county leaders, including the 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. The officials are accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme involving fictitious pending bills for non-existent road projects, which they allegedly used to siphon funds intended for legitimate contractors.
As the 2023/2024 financial year came to a close, these officials gathered at the Governor’s residence in Olare Kochia, where they fabricated documents to justify payments for roads that were never built. The scheme included the use of forged and altered signatures of former county officers, including Mr. Noah Otieno (former Chief Officer for Finance), Mr. Samson Okumu (former Director of Procurement), and County head of accounts Mr. Dan Lieta. The fraudulent documents were used to divert funds, originally earmarked to settle legitimate pending bills, to shell companies and proxies controlled by the implicated officials.
One of the key players, Mr Churchill Omondi Oyamo, allegedly funnelled the stolen funds through a proxy company, TCHAVEK Enterprise Ltd, with deposits made into a Family Bank account in Migori. This sudden windfall has reportedly allowed Mr Oyamo to build multiple businesses and almost complete a multi-story building in Arunda Katuma, raising serious questions about the origin of his newfound wealth.
Similarly, Mr. James Wanga, the Accountant for Roads, is accused of using his company, LETHI Co. Ltd, to launder the stolen money. LETHI Co. Ltd operates several M-Pesa outlets, including those located near Homa Bay Travelers Hotel and opposite Equity Bank. Shockingly, some staff at these outlets are listed as county government employees, with salaries paid by the county’s taxpayers. Furthermore, Wanga has allegedly used the illicit funds to build a nearly completed multi-story building in the Milimani area, near Got Rabuor.
George Wanga, the Governor’s spouse, is also implicated in the scandal. His companies, WAPONYA Enterprise Ltd and TROIKA Enterprise Ltd, are reportedly involved in corrupt activities, with drivers employed by these companies allegedly drawing salaries from county government funds. This misuse of public resources illustrates the depths of corruption within the Homa Bay administration.
The theft of Ksh 200 million has not only stalled vital development projects but has also left legitimate contractors unpaid, deepening the county’s economic challenges. This scandal underscores the urgent need for a thorough investigation and the swift implementation of accountability measures. Authorities such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Salary Remuneration Commission (SRC), and the Auditor General must urgently audit the county’s finances and investigate the forged road documents to recover the stolen funds and hold the perpetrators accountable. Safaricom Ltd, through its M-Pesa unit, should also investigate LETHI Co. Ltd’s head office and M-Pesa outlets for possible money laundering, while the banking sector needs to scrutinize transactions linked to TCHAVEK Enterprise Ltd and other implicated entities.
Homa Bay residents deserve leadership that prioritizes public welfare over personal gain. This scandal serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of corruption on governance and development. It is crucial that all stakeholders remain vigilant and demand transparency from their leaders to ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes. As investigations unfold, justice must prevail to restore faith in the county’s administration and deter future corruption.
