By Team
For years, Michael Abala Wanga was one of the most powerful and feared figures in Kisumu. Rising from relative obscurity, his appointment as City Manager positioned him at the heart of urban management, political power and public controversy.
A Heavy-Handed Reign at City Hall
Upon taking office, Abala launched an aggressive clean-up of Kisumu’s CBD, demolishing temporary structures and displacing hundreds of small traders in an attempt to brand Kisumu “the cleanest city in Kenya.” Critics argued that the operations devastated livelihoods and disproportionately targeted the vulnerable.
His confrontational style extended beyond the streets. Demolitions became routine, clashes with business owners common and his hostility eventually reached the Judiciary, where he is now battling a defamation suit filed by a Kisumu-based Judge.
Political theatrics further fuelled his notoriety. During the 2024 Christmas festivities, he stunned the country by proposing an alcohol-drinking competition, allegedly supervised by the Kisumu Liquor Board. In Gem, a bitter feud with area MP Elisha Odhiambo frequently spilled into public insults and political brinkmanship.
Yet despite the controversies, Abala enjoyed strong protection from senior ODM leadership. As a close ally of Raila Odinga and a trusted operative of Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, he remained largely untouchable.
But behind the public bravado lay a simmering question that refused to disappear:
Were his academic certificates genuine?
THE CERTIFICATE SCANDAL: HOW THE INVESTIGATION UNRAVELLED
The Petition That Triggered the Fall
The controversy formally entered the legal arena through ELRC Petition No. E007 of 2020 – Benard Ouko Omondi v. Kisumu County Public Service Board & Others, where Abala, listed as the 3rd Respondent, was accused of using forged certificates to secure his City Manager post.
EACC Launches a Forensic Review
An affidavit sworn by EACC Investigator Kevin Lagat details how the probe began.
November 16, 2021 — EACC Writes to KNEC
Lagat forwarded two certificates allegedly belonging to Abala for authentication:
KCPE 1986, Serial No. 2803983
KCSE 1990, Serial No. 268532
January 27, 2022 — KNEC’s Damning Verdict
KNEC confirmed both certificates had been altered:
- KCPE 1986 — sat at Ndori Primary School
The original name Michael A. Wanga had been changed to Michael Abala Wanga.
- KCSE 1990 — sat at Kambare Secondary School
Grades had been massively inflated, including:
English: C → B+
Kiswahili: D → B-
Math: D → C
CRE: C- → B
Mean Grade altered from D+ to C+
KNEC concluded the certificates were forgeries.
With these findings, EACC further noted that all higher academic and professional documents Abala relied upon were automatically compromised, disqualifying him under Section 30 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act.
A DARKER PICTURE EMERGES
December 16, 2021 — DCI Confirms More Irregularities
Responding to EACC, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations revealed that:
- The Police Clearance Certificate Abala submitted during recruitment was a fake — no fingerprints or application matched his ID.
- Criminal records showed:
CR 141/326/14 — Stealing by servant (pending)
CR 121/27/2016 — Conspiracy to defraud (pending)
The 2016 case resulted in a conviction in Kiambu Criminal Case No. 201 of 2016, later appealed as Kiambu HCCA No. 64 of 2019.
The DCI’s findings reinforced the narrative of a public officer who had concealed his criminal history while occupying high office.
THE COLLAPSE OF A CAREER
The combined findings — forged certificates, a fake PCC and active/past criminal cases — shattered the legitimacy of Abala’s tenure.
EACC concluded that his actions violated integrity standards, rendering him unfit for public service.
EACC MOVES IN FOR PROSECUTION
November 13, 2025 — The Turning Point
In a formal letter dated 13th November 2025, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) announced it had obtained a green light from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charge Abala.
The Commission directed him to present himself immediately at the DCI Headquarters, Nairobi, for processing and arraignment.
The charges outlined include:
Forgery and uttering false documents — for allegedly presenting a fake KCSE certificate.
Fraudulent acquisition of a public office — by using falsified academic papers to secure the City Manager position.
Abuse of office — for benefiting from a role illegally obtained.
Corruption-related offences — based on irregularities uncovered during multi-agency investigations.
“The suspect has been directed to immediately present himself at the EACC headquarters, Integrity Centre, Nairobi, for processing and arraignment,” stated the agency in its statement.
With the DPP’s clearance, the case now transitions from investigation to prosecution.
THE FINAL UNRAVELLING
Once a dominant force in Kisumu’s political and administrative circles, Abala now faces one of the most serious integrity cases in the county’s history. His journey, from a feared City Manager to a man fighting to defend forged certificates in court, marks one of the most dramatic falls from power in recent memory.
As the matter proceeds to court, the political protection that once insulated him has slipped away. What remains is a stern legal battle that will test the weight of evidence against years of political bravado.
Abala Wanga’s fall is complete, from grace to grass.
