Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati was on Tuesday released by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court after securing bond terms.
The magistrate ruled that he be freed on a bond of Ksh5 million or an alternative cash bail of Ksh1.5 million. His release now allows him to attend court sessions from outside custody as he waits for the mention and determination of the case set for September 18.
The magistrate was clear in the ruling, stating, “The fourth accused (Wangamati) terms are as follows: a bond of Ksh5 million or a cash bail of Ksh1.5 million.” Wangamati was arraigned alongside several former Bungoma County officials, all accused of involvement in an alleged embezzlement scheme that saw more than Ksh70 million channeled through private companies linked to the county leadership at the time.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, through his team, presented the case that Wangamati and the other accused persons should face charges of conflict of interest, acquisition of proceeds of crime, and wilful failure to comply with procurement laws.
The prosecution argued that the alleged scheme denied the public value for money and pointed to abuse of office by the county leadership.Wangamati, however, firmly denied all four charges read to him in court.
He maintained that the accusations are not grounded in facts but are instead politically motivated.
The former governor has previously stated that his detention and arraignment are linked to Bungoma politics ahead of the 2027 elections, suggesting that his rivals are keen on locking him out of the race early.
Before his release, Wangamati spent Monday night at Kilimani Police Station after being taken in following his arraignment. His time in custody attracted attention from both his supporters and critics, with the political divide in Bungoma County closely following the developments.
Wangamati served as Bungoma governor for a single term between 2017 and 2022, losing his seat in the last general election.
The court session also touched on another high-profile case involving Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok, who is set to answer to graft-related charges before the same magistrate.
Barchok had earlier moved to the High Court in an attempt to block his arrest and detention, but his petition was dismissed, leaving him exposed to prosecution.
According to submissions by the DPP, Barchok is alleged to have received Ksh2.75 million from companies that were conducting business with the county between the financial years 2019/2020 and 2024/2025, raising questions of conflict of interest.
The two cases now highlight a renewed push by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to hold governors and former governors accountable for their handling of public resources.
The spotlight remains on how the judiciary will balance the weight of the charges, the rights of the accused, and the public demand for accountability in county governments.
The developments also signal the growing scrutiny on county leaders, with graft cases continuing to dominate headlines and influence the political climate ahead of future elections.
