The Bungoma County Government has come under renewed scrutiny after the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) questioned an unexplained Sh3.6 million expenditure on a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and raised concerns over serious defects at the Masinde Muliro Stadium project.
During a CPAC session, committee chairperson Moses Kajwang’ queried how the county spent millions of shillings on lighting a Christmas tree months before December, noting that the expenditure remained unaccounted for in audit records.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also challenged the timing of the requisition, pointing out that the imprest was reportedly drawn on September 9, 2019, nearly three months before Christmas.
“That timing raises serious concerns about possible cover-ups and misuse of public funds,” Sifuna said.
Senators Question Timing, Accountability
Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli told the committee that the event was conducted ceremonially, with participants wearing Christmas hats and tents erected at the governor’s office compound.
However, senators maintained that the explanations did not adequately justify the timing or cost of the expenditure.
Governor Lusaka Distances Himself
Governor Ken Lusaka sought to distance himself from the audit queries, telling the committee that the expenditure related to 2019, before his tenure, and urging members not to link him to the controversy.
“Chair, just for the record, I know the media will say it is me. It is in 2019. Please, Chair, protect me,” Lusaka said.
The committee is expected to make further recommendations as investigations into the county’s spending and stalled infrastructure projects continue.
