Police Investigate Relief Food Recovered from Governor Wanga’s Father’s Home

Police in Kisumu County have recovered hundreds of bags of government relief food from a private home as detectives investigate how the consignment was allegedly diverted before reaching its intended beneficiaries.

The food, which was meant for distribution to vulnerable residents in Muhoroni Sub-county, was found on Sunday at the home of the late Johana Nyasuna in Ngere Kagoro village. 

The property belongs to the family of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga’s father.

According to a police report, officers acting on intelligence raided the premises after receiving information that relief food destined for the Deputy County Commissioner’s (DCC) office in Muhoroni had been offloaded and stored there.

Police recovered 300 bags of rice weighing 50kg each, 250 bags of beans weighing 50kg each and 20 bags of 25kg uji mix.

Investigators also seized a Mercedes-Benz goods trailer, registration number KCG 240F, believed to have transported the consignment. Police identified the vehicle as belonging to Pontypridd Holdings.

An earlier police report indicated that a truck driver and a storekeeper had been arrested to assist with investigations. 

However, Muhoroni Sub-county Police Commander Otieno Ombaka later contradicted that account, saying no one had been arrested.

“We have recorded statements from persons of interest, including the driver. He claims he was instructed by someone who has not yet been identified to deliver the food to Nyasuna’s home. Investigations are ongoing and are being handled by the DCI,” Ombaka said.

He said documents recovered by investigators showed the food had been allocated by the State Department for Special Programmes for distribution to vulnerable residents through the Muhoroni DCC’s office.

Following its recovery from the private residence, the food was transferred to the NCPB depot in Kisumu on the instructions of Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku to preserve its integrity after concerns over its storage and safety.

The investigation has also drawn in officials from the Wangaya West Community Water and Sanitation Supply Community-Based Organisation (CBO), whose official rubber stamp was allegedly used to acknowledge receipt of the consignment.

The CBO’s chairman, Joel Jalang’o, denied any involvement, saying he was away attending a funeral in Siaya County when he learnt that the organisation’s stamp had been used.

He added that after learning about the consignment, he instructed the family’s storekeeper, David Oyuko, not to release the food until officials from the Deputy County Commissioner’s office and security agencies arrived.

Mr Oyuko, who also serves as secretary of the CBO, has also recorded a statement with investigators.

Police have not said how the relief food was diverted or whether more people are being investigated.

Authorities have not linked those claims to the ongoing investigation, and detectives say inquiries into the recovered consignment are continuing.