The Bungoma County Government is facing renewed scrutiny after the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) raised concerns over questionable expenditure and stalled development projects. During a committee session, senators questioned an expenditure of Sh3.6 million reportedly used for a Christmas tree lighting ceremony held in September 2019, months before the festive season. CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang’ expressed disbelief over the timing and accountability of the spending, noting that the funds remain unaccounted for. Kajwang’ faulted the county for withdrawing public funds for a Christmas-related event long before December, saying such expenditure should have been properly justified and documented if it indeed occurred.
Senators Raise Red Flags Over Timing and Accountability
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna further questioned the requisition process, pointing out that the imprest was allegedly drawn on September 9, nearly three months before Christmas. He said the inconsistency raised serious concerns about possible misuse of public funds and attempts to conceal irregular spending. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei also weighed in, questioning how a Christmas celebration could be held outside the traditional festive period, joking that Bungoma County might have been operating on a different calendar altogether.
Governor Distances Himself From Audit Queries
Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli told the committee that the event was conducted ceremonially at the governor’s office compound, complete with Christmas hats and tents. However, Governor Ken Lusaka sought to distance himself from the matter, noting that the expenditure related to the 2019 financial year and urging the committee not to link the audit queries to his administration.
The explanation provided by the county government was further disputed by County Attorney Edward Waswa, who described the spending as facilitation rather than a Christmas celebration. This contradiction prompted Senator Sifuna to insist that accountability would ultimately be determined by the documents submitted to the committee. Kajwang’ also questioned why the county attorney’s interpretation differed from that of the county secretary, whom he identified as the official custodian of county records.
Calls for EACC Probe
CPAC members criticised what they described as persistent wastage and theft of public resources in county governments. Kajwang’ said the Bungoma matter should be referred to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for further investigations, terming the expenditure unethical and unacceptable.
Stadium Project Also Under Spotlight
The audit concerns extended to the Masinde Muliro Stadium project, which senators said has experienced prolonged delays despite claims that it is 95 per cent complete. An audit inspection conducted in July 2025 reportedly revealed that construction work had stalled for over a year, with the contractor no longer on site. Inspectors also flagged structural defects on the stadium’s external fence, including a section near the VIP entrance that was bending outward and leaving a visible gap between the fence and the ground. The findings have renewed calls for accountability and proper oversight of public projects in Bungoma County.
