This archive report was first published on 13 August 2019.
On August 13, 2019, Abala Wanga, the acting chief executive officer of the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREC), announced his resignation.
According to Wanga, he made the decision after consulting with Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o and the bloc's Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya.
Wanga's resignation comes two weeks after he was convicted and sentenced to six months in jail without the option of a fine for engaging in multiple fraud cases in Kiambu.
He was charged alongside Valentine Magero on July 30 for conspiring to defraud the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologist Board of over Sh400,000.
Wanga has challenged the sentence and remains free, but is facing a similar charge at the Kibera Law Courts.
As the acting CEO of LREC, which brings together 14 counties from Nyanza, Western, and parts of the Rift Valley, Wanga's resignation appears to be a response to pressure from those uncomfortable with him holding the position following the recent turn of events.
"LREB is a glass house. I am inside while stones are being thrown at me destroying the glass. I need to leave the glass house to protect it from the stones," Wanga explained.
Wanga expressed no regret for his time at the bloc, citing several achievements during his tenure, including setting up the bloc's fully-fledged office and secretariat.
He plans to take a one-month leave to the United States.
