EACC Under Fire Over Alleged Politically Motivated Prosecution After Court Lifts Arrest Warrant Against Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga

Kenya’s anti-corruption watchdog is under renewed national criticism after a dramatic court decision lifted the arrest warrant against Abala Wanga. The Kisumu City Manager now accuses the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of running a politically driven campaign meant to damage his name and disrupt his rising political career.

His affidavit paints a worrying picture of an agency acting outside legal procedure, relying on social media alerts instead of formal service, and filing charges that contradict its own summons.

The unfolding case now raises serious questions about fairness, abuse of office, and political influence within Kenya’s investigative institutions.

EACC Under Pressure After Court Lifts Arrest Warrant Against Abala Wanga

The legal storm intensified when the magistrate lifted the Arrest Warrant Against Abala Wanga following revelations that EACC used misleading information to obtain it. The court agreed with the defence that the City Manager had not been properly summoned on the date claimed by investigators.

This ruling exposed deep concerns about the integrity of the case and triggered a national debate about politically motivated prosecution by state agencies.

Wanga says he first learned of EACC’s interest not through official channels but through a post on the Commission’s X page on 13 November 2025. The summons lacked a date and time. He maintains he never received proper service.

The next day, he discovered that the ODPP had already filed criminal charges against him. The speed of this action, he argues, showed that the prosecution sought to rush the case without verifying basic facts. His lawyers say investigators did not confirm whether he had recorded a statement or received the summons. Instead, they moved directly to court and sought a warrant.

Contradictions in the EACC Summons and ODPP Charge Sheet

According to the defence, the documents filed by the two state offices tell different stories. This inconsistency, they say, exposes bias and intentional distortion.

Comparison of Claims

Document	Allegation Against Abala Wanga	Notes
EACC Summons	Used forged documents to enable travel for a female non-staff member to Lagos	Publicised on social media, raising defamation concerns
ODPP Charge Sheet	Used forged documents to secure an imprest of KSh 295,000	No mention of alleged Lagos travel

The defence argues that this mismatch shows investigators lacked a clear case and may have pursued public embarrassment instead of truth. Legal experts warn that publicising unverified claims can damage a person’s reputation permanently.

Defence Claims Political Influence on the Case

Wanga is a key political aspirant in Gem Constituency. His lawyers say this alone has made him a target of powerful actors uncomfortable with his rising influence. They insist EACC acted under pressure to weaken his political momentum.

According to the affidavit, a prominent political figure in Gem was allegedly heard boasting that he could make the charges disappear if Wanga agreed to drop his parliamentary ambition. The defence says this remark confirms the political undertones behind the prosecution.

They also claim that Wanga’s strong performance in transforming Kisumu City has unsettled leaders seeking control of county politics. Market disputes, urban reforms, and his role in enforcing order have reportedly irritated vested interests.

Irregular Steps in Obtaining the Arrest Warrant

The court found that EACC presented inaccurate information when it applied for the warrant. Investigators told the court that Wanga had been summoned on 11 November 2025. The defence produced evidence showing no such summons had been issued.

This revelation forced the magistrate to lift the Arrest Warrant Against Abala Wanga.

Key Issues Raised by the Defence

• EACC allegedly relied on social media instead of proper service
• Investigators presented false dates to secure the warrant
• Charges were filed without confirming whether the accused had recorded a statement
• Allegations publicised online did not match the formal charges
• The prosecution appeared rushed and politically guided

These concerns point to a troubling pattern of procedural abuse.

Political Pressure Behind the Arrest Warrant Against Abala Wanga

Rising Political Profile of the Kisumu City Manager

Wanga is widely viewed as a top contender for the Gem parliamentary seat. His critics see his popularity in the constituency and his achievements in Kisumu City management as a threat. His team believes the legal woes were designed to derail his campaign and damage public trust.

They say EACC’s actions did not follow the law but instead followed political instructions meant to silence him.

Role of County Power Struggles

The case has exposed deeper divisions in Kisumu County. Several leaders eyeing the governor’s seat reportedly view Wanga as an obstacle. His successful urban reforms and strong public support have allegedly shaken their political plans.

His defence argues that these leaders may be behind the pressure on EACC. They claim his work in enforcing order, handling market issues, and improving city operations made him powerful enemies who wanted him politically weakened.

Public Debate on National Investigative Agencies

The matter has revived debate about independence of investigative bodies. Kenyans are now questioning whether EACC and the ODPP are acting within the law or bending to political interests.

Critics argue that the case reflects a bigger national problem where agencies are misused to target opponents or settle political scores. Supporters of due process warn that such actions weaken public confidence in state institutions.

Court Decision Lifting the Arrest Warrant Against Abala Wanga

The City Manager voluntarily appeared in court on Monday morning. After reviewing the defence evidence, the magistrate removed the warrant and scheduled the matter for mention.

The ruling brought temporary relief but also highlighted serious gaps in the prosecution’s case. Analysts say the lifting of the Arrest Warrant Against Abala Wanga signals deeper issues in the investigative system.

Summary of Court Findings

Issue	Court Observation
Proper summons	No proof that Wanga was summoned on the date claimed
Basis of warrant	Application contained incorrect information
Conduct of investigators	Lacked consistency and clarity
Defence claims	Presented credible evidence of procedural irregularities

The case now places immense pressure on EACC and ODPP to explain the inconsistencies and justify their actions.