By NT Correspondent.

Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga failed turn up in court to plead to the forgery and fraudulent acquisition of Sh8.7 million.

This is the third time Abala who was expected before Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate court, failed to turn up and plead to the charges. He was reportedly taken ill.

The court heard that Abala is sick and was admitted to Agha Khan Hospital in Kisumu on February 3, 2026, and there are medical reports to support the same.

The city manager and his legal team sought for the deferment of the matter before Milimani Anti-Corruption Senior Principal Magistrate Celesa Asis, until he recovers.

They also told the court that he was scheduled for an operation procedure this morning, and he had just informed them that he was preparing for theatre at that time.

“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,” his lawyer told the Anti-Corruption Court.

According to court papers, Abala is supposed 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 Kisumu City Manager.

He is also expected to be charged with forging and uttering the KCSE certificate bearing serial number 268532 and presenting the forged documents to the Kisumu County Public Service Board in order to secure employment.

Lawyer Steve Ogola told the court that they had written a letter to the Directorate of Public Prosecution seeking a review of the charges against him.

According to lawyer Ogola, the letter was written to DPP on November 26, 2025, requesting intervention by way of recalling the file and satisfying his file and making it complete and ready for plea, but we are yet to receive a response on the same.

The matter will be mentioned on March 2, 2026.