By James Okoth
The noose has tightened around Kisumu City Manager Michael Abala Wanga after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) ordered him to present himself immediately at the agency’s headquarters, Integrity Centre in Nairobi, for processing and arraignment over a string of corruption and forgery allegations.
In a letter dated November 13, 2025, the commission said it had received the green light from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prefer multiple charges against Abala, who is accused of using forged academic certificates to fraudulently secure his position as City Manager.
According to EACC, the embattled city boss is also accused of abusing his office by using fake documents to facilitate the travel and payment of allowances for a female non-staff member, whom he allegedly passed off as a county employee during an official trip to Lagos, Nigeria between 8th and 12th July 2024. The trip, EACC says, was fully funded by the Kisumu County Government.
The anti-graft agency confirmed that Abala will face a raft of 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, 2023;
- 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 Examination Council Act.
“The suspect has been directed to immediately present himself at EACC Headquarters, Integrity Centre, Nairobi, for processing and arraignment,” the Commission stated.
The unfolding scandal has sent shockwaves through the Kisumu County administration, coming at a time when the integrity of senior officers is under intense public scrutiny. Sources within City Hall say tension is high as EACC officers move in to seal evidence and prepare witness statements.
Abala, a long-serving political operative and one of the most visible faces of the Kisumu County administration, is now staring at career-shattering criminal charges that could end his public service run and trigger a leadership shake-up at the city’s top management.
As of press time, Abala had not issued any public statement regarding the allegations or confirmed whether he would honour the EACC summons.
