NAIROBI, Kenya — 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 alarm over stalled works and structural defects at the Masinde Muliro Stadium.
Appearing before the committee, county officials were grilled over audit queries dating back to the 2019/2020 financial year, with senators describing the spending as irregular and potentially fraudulent.
CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang questioned how the county spent Sh3.6 million on a Christmas tree lighting event reportedly held in September 2019, several months before the festive season, and why the expenditure remained unsupported by proper documentation.
“So you spent Sh3.6 million for Cthe hristmas tree celebration? Using Sh3.6 million for Christmas tree lighting in September? And it remains unaccounted for. If the money was drawn and used, it should not have come here,” Kajwang’ said.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna challenged the timing of the expenditure, noting that the imprest was allegedly requisitioned on September 9, about three months before Christmas. He said the discrepancy raised concerns over possible manipulation of records to justify questionable spending.
“This looks like an attempt to sanitise something after the fact. The documents before us will guide accountability,” Sifuna said.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei questioned the logic of celebrating Christmas outside the recognised calendar, while Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli told the committee that the event was ceremonial, with participants wearing Christmas hats and tents erected at the governor’s office compound.
Governor Ken Lusaka sought to distance himself from the audit query, telling the committee the expenditure predated his current administration.
“Chair, just for the record I know media will say it is me. It is in 2019, please Chair protect me,” Lusaka said.
However, Bungoma County Attorney Edward Waswa disputed the explanations given, describing the expenditure as facilitation rather than a Christmas celebration.
Kajwang’ questioned why the county attorney’s interpretation differed from that of the county secretary, whom he said is the lawful custodian of official county records.
Senators criticised what they described as persistent wastage and theft in county governments and called for accountability.
“This is a matter that is unethical. This is a matter that should go to EACC. It cannot be acceptable,” Kajwang’ said, directing that the issue be referred to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for investigation.
The committee also raised serious concerns over the Masinde Muliro Stadium project after an audit inspection conducted in July 2025 found that construction had stalled for more than a year despite claims that the project was 95 per cent complete.
According to the audit report, the contractor was not on site at the time of inspection, and several structural defects were observed, including sections of the perimeter fence bending outward near the VIP entrance, leaving visible gaps between the fence and the ground.
Senators warned that the delays and defects raised questions about value for money and oversight, adding that stalled public projects continue to deprive residents of essential services while draining public resources.
CPAC is expected to compile its findings and make formal recommendations to enforcement agencies, including EACC, as part of Parliament’s oversight mandate under Article 229 of the Constitution.
