During a committee session, CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang’ questioned how the county spent Sh3.6 million on lighting a Christmas tree months before December, saying the expenditure remained unaccounted for.
“So you spent Sh3.6 million for Christmas 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 also challenged the timing of the requisition, noting that the imprest was reportedly drawn on September 9 — about three months before Christmas — a discrepancy he said raised concerns about possible cover-ups and misuse of public funds.
The senators questioned the justification for the spending, with Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei remarking that Christmas is traditionally celebrated in December, and jokingly suggesting the county may have been following a different calendar.
Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli told the committee the event was held in a ceremonial manner, 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 related to 2019 and urging members not to attribute it to him.
“Chair, just for the record I know media will say it is me. It is in 2019, please Chair protect me,” Lusaka said.
Bungoma County Attorney Edward Waswa, however, disputed the narration presented to the committee, saying it was meant to be a facilitation. Sifuna challenged the explanation, saying the documents presented before the committee would guide accountability.
Kajwang’ also questioned why the county attorney appeared to provide an interpretation different from that of the county secretary, who he said is the custodian of official records.
CPAC members criticised what they described as widespread wastage and theft in county governments, urging investigative agencies to pursue those responsible. Kajwang’ said the matter should be referred to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for further action.
“This is a matter that is unethical. This is a matter that should go to EACC. It cannot be acceptable,” he said.
The Bungoma audit concerns extended to the Masinde Muliro Stadium project, which senators said has faced delays despite claims that it is 95 per cent complete.
An audit inspection carried out in July 2025 reportedly found that works had stalled for more than a year, with the contractor absent from site.
The inspection also noted structural defects on the external fence, including a section near the VIP entrance bending outward and creating a visible gap between the fence and the ground.
