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By Tony Wafula
Kakamega county,Kenya: Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has raised concerns over the alleged embezzlement of Sh4.5 million from the Uwezo Fund allocated to Bumula Constituency.
Oparanya claims the money, intended to support youth and women groups, was misappropriated during the tenure of former area Member of Parliament Mwambu Mabonga, who served from 2017 to 2022.
The CS spoke after a meeting in his office with the current Bumula MP, Jack Wamboka, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Uwezo Fund. He stated the engagement focused on safeguarding public resources and ensuring empowerment funds reach their intended beneficiaries.
“My meeting with Bumula MP Wamboka and the Uwezo Fund CEO was simply to ensure that empowerment funds reach the intended beneficiaries across the whole country,” Oparanya said.
He further revealed that the Sh4.5 million for Bumula, which had been embezzled, was successfully recovered through the intervention of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and will now be put to its rightful use.
Oparanya assured that a cheque issuance is scheduled for February 20, 2026, after which the funds will be disbursed to eligible groups in the constituency.
“After we recovered the resources, we have scheduled a cheque issuance on February 20, 2026. Following that, the funds will be made available to the deserving groups,” he stated.
The former Kakamega governor and ODM deputy party leader affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that empowerment programmes like the Uwezo Fund deliver real impact to grassroots communities.
Speaking separately at the commissioning of modern classrooms at Kibuke Primary School in Bumula, MP Jack Wamboka blamed former lawmaker Mwambu Mabonga for the alleged embezzlement, arguing it has left constituency groups vulnerable.
“While other constituencies enjoy Uwezo funds, ours in Bumula are withheld with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission,” Wamboka said.
In response, former MP Mwambu Mabonga dismissed the allegations, insisting any concerns over the misuse of public funds should be addressed through lawful channels.
Mabonga noted that the current MP is the legal custodian of all constituency records and therefore has the authority to act if any misuse is suspected.
“If there is any misuse of public funds, you do not complain in social forums or at funerals. The proper course is to take the matter to court and recover the alleged lost funds,” Mabonga stated.
He added that MP Wamboka holds the mandate of the Bumula people to pursue legal redress if wrongdoing is established.
