Bungoma County Spent Over ksh3.6 Million on a Christmas Tree

Bungoma County Government has come under increased scrutiny after the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) questioned an expenditure of Ksh3.6 million on a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in September 2019.

On Monday, February 2, 2026, Governor Kenneth Lusaka was questioned about the county’s use of funds during his appearance before the Senate’s Public Accounts Committee.

CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang questioned how the county spent Ksh3.6 million on lighting a Christmas tree months before December during a committee meeting, claiming the expense was still unaccounted for.

He criticized the governors for mismanaging county funds, stating that their wasteful spending has made people feel as though devolution has yet to truly take effect.

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“So you spent Ksh3.6 million for the 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.

He added, “Governor, you see things like this that make people feel devolution is not working. We have seen even crazier expenditures, like Ksh5 million for house-warming, and the money has not been returned.”

Lusaka’s Defense

In his defense, Governor Lusaka clarified the allegations of the misuse of funds, arguing that the lighting expenditure occurred during the tenure of his predecessor, Governor Wafula Wangaati.

He claimed that the media was watching and that he must clarify that the allegations against him are false and that it happened in 2019 when he was not the county boss.

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He requested the Senate to be vigilant when addressing the matter.

“For the record, Mr. Chair, it will appear as if I am the one responsible. This happened in 2019. Please, Chair, I also need protection. You are addressing this as if it is me; the media are watching live,” Lusaka requested.

During Lusaka’s first term, Bungoma County was involved in a number of scandals, including the “wheelbarrow scandal,” where he was charged with buying wheelbarrows for Ksh 100,000 a piece.

He justified the expense by arguing that the wheelbarrows were carcinogenic.

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Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka during a past function. PHOTO/@KenyaGovernors/X