Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga Misses Court Again as Sh8.7 Million Fraud Case Delayed
Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga failed to appear in court for the third time to take plea in a case involving alleged forgery and fraudulent acquisition of Sh8.7 million.
Wanga was expected before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, but proceedings were once again stalled after his lawyers informed the court that he was unwell and hospitalised.
Court Told Wanga Is Hospitalised
Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Celesa Asis, the defence told the court that Wanga was admitted at Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu, on February 3, 2026, and medical reports had been filed to support the claim.
His legal team sought a deferment of the plea-taking, saying the city manager was scheduled for a surgical procedure.
“I have just spoken to him, and he has told me he’s going to the theatre now, this morning. That makes me not sure when he will be able to come to court,” Wanga’s lawyer told the Anti-Corruption Court.
Charges Facing the City Manager
According to court documents, Wanga is expected to be charged with fraudulently acquiring Sh8,701,091 from the Kisumu County Government between September 22, 2020, and November 30, 2024, while serving as City Manager.
He also faces allegations of forgery and uttering a false document, after allegedly presenting a forged KCSE certificate (Serial No. 268532) to the Kisumu County Public Service Board to secure his appointment.
DPP Review Sought
Defence lawyer Steve Ogola told the court that the team had formally written to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions seeking a review of the charges.
Ogola said the letter was sent on November 26, 2025, requesting the DPP to recall the file and address gaps before plea-taking.
“We requested intervention by way of recalling the file and making it complete and ready for plea, but we are yet to receive a response,” Ogola said.
Next Court Date
The court granted the adjournment and directed that the matter be mentioned on March 2, 2026, for further directions.
The repeated absence of the Kisumu City Manager has already raised questions, as this marks the third failed attempt to have him take plea in the high-profile anti-corruption case.