The family of former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati suffered a significant blow as the county government demolished their Ksh500 million property in Kanduyi. This demolition was not an isolated incident, as another construction site owned by the family is also set to be torn down. The demolished building housed a supermarket and various other facilities, making way for the expansion of the Masinde Muliro Stadium. This stadium is expected to accommodate a staggering 40,000 people and will be the venue for this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1.
The governor, in a press statement at the demolition site, expressed his suspicions about the government’s true intentions. He revealed that his father had been accused of land grabbing, but they had obtained a court order in January to halt the demolition. Surprisingly, the county government seemed to have a change of heart and proceeded with the demolition, disregarding the court’s orders. The case was scheduled to be heard on June 8, 2024, and the governor criticized the county government for failing to comply with the court’s directives.
Wangamati defended his father’s integrity, stating that he had lawfully acquired the land through a lease in 1965. He emphasized that his father was an honest employee who had obtained the land from the government. In the aftermath of the demolition, local residents witnessed young men scavenging for scrap metal while police officers kept a watchful eye on the area. The destruction of the property has undoubtedly caused significant distress to the Wangamati family, raising questions about the government’s actions and the impact on their reputation.