Reports of corruption, fraud, and unethical conduct have rocked Kisumu County, placing City Manager Abala Wanga and Stanbic Bank Kisumu Branch Manager Consolata Achieng at the center of a controversy that has outraged residents.
The scandal stems from a July 2024 trip to Lagos, Nigeria, where Achieng allegedly posed as Kisumu County’s Head of Project Management and Investments, enabling her to secure travel clearance and allowances funded entirely by public resources.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing Wanga and Achieng meet at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before their departure.
Official Kisumu County documents were reportedly falsified to identify Achieng as a county official, facilitating her visa application and clearance by multiple government bodies, including the Department of Devolution and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
County Secretary Hesbon Hongo allegedly signed off on her clearance, despite knowing she was not a county employee, making him a key enabler of this fraudulent scheme.
The scandal deepens with allegations that Achieng has close ties to Kisumu County through companies linked to her, including Tacoa Enterprises and Bajach Limited.
These companies have reportedly secured lucrative contracts with the county government, raising concerns about favoritism and financial impropriety tied to her alleged relationship with Wanga.
The misappropriation of public funds for her airfare, stipends, and other expenses has further enraged residents, who are demanding transparency and accountability.
The bank where Achieng is employed has also been implicated.
A petition has been submitted to its leadership, urging an internal investigation into claims that she engaged in fraudulent activities under the guise of official duties.
This petition, copied to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), accuses her of exploiting her position for personal gain while collaborating with Kisumu County officials to misuse public resources.
This scandal has exposed systemic flaws in Kisumu County’s leadership.
Despite the gravity of these allegations, Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has remained silent, and no action has been taken against Wanga or other implicated officials.
Critics argue that the county government has failed to uphold transparency and integrity, particularly as unpaid contractors continue to struggle for compensation while public funds are misused for questionable activities.
Residents are particularly angered by the contrast between this blatant misuse of funds and the county’s unfulfilled promises of essential services.
This situation highlights a disregard for the values enshrined in Chapter Six of the Constitution, which mandates public officers to prioritize integrity, transparency, and accountability.
The petition filed with the EACC and DCI calls for a thorough investigation into several aspects of this scandal.
These include the fraudulent clearance of Achieng as a county official, the misuse of public resources, the complicity of Hesbon Hongo, and the contracts awarded to companies linked to Achieng.
The public is demanding accountability, recovery of the misappropriated funds, and justice for the abuse of their trust.
This case underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent such incidents from recurring. It is a stark reminder that public officers must be held to the highest standards of accountability and integrity to restore trust in governance and ensure the responsible use of public resources.
