The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has formally begun investigations into Bungoma County Government over public spending of Sh3.7 million on a Christmas tree event and roughly SH2.8 million on an official benchmarking trip.
The inquiry follows questions raised by the Senate Public Accounts Committee regarding irregularities highlighted in the Auditor General’s report.
During a Senate review, Governor Kenneth Lusaka was pressed to explain the Christmas tree event, held in September 2019, which occurred months before the festive season. The audit indicates that the funds used were withdrawn through a county imprest, raising concerns about proper financial procedures.
In line with the investigation, the Commission wrote to the County Secretary and County Clerk requesting original financial records to support its review. Specifically, the EACC asked for requisitions from departments, approved budgets, and supplementary budgets for the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 financial years.
The Commission also demanded imprest cashbooks, warrants, bank deposit slips, files of involved officials, and all related correspondence about both the Christmas celebrations and the benchmarking trip.
Reports show that 22 Members of the County Assembly, along with senior county officials, traveled to Mbale, Uganda, spending about Sh2.8 million. Together with the Christmas event, the total cost of the two activities is estimated at Sh6.6 million.
The letters from EACC stated that its officers would be available to collect the requested documents by 16 February 2026. The agency cited its mandate under Article 252(1)(a) and (d) of the Constitution and Section 11 of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act, 2011, empowering it to investigate fraud, corruption, and mismanagement of public funds.
Bungoma County has a history of scrutiny over financial conduct. Former Governor Wycliffe Wangamati faced allegations of over Sh31 million in kickbacks from county contractors, charges he and 18 co-accused, including family members, denied before being released on a fine.
Governor Lusaka, who previously served as governor in 2015, was also implicated in a procurement case over inflated wheelbarrow prices reaching Sh109,000 each.
