Governor Lusaka defends Ksh25m spent on flowers in Madaraka Day fete
By Arnold Ngure, July 22, 2024
Bungoma County Governor Kenneth Lusaka has defended the expenditure on the Madaraka Day celebrations, including Ksh25 million spent on flowers.
Lusaka was put to task after the youth in Bungoma demanded that he explain the usage of some Ksh148 million during the celebrations presided over by President William Ruto on June 1, 2024.
“The money was approved by the County Assembly and used accordingly,” Lusaka said.
The governor also noted that Ksh1M was spent on education, Ksh1M on renovations, and Ksh24.8M on roads and public works.
Additionally, he noted that other infrastructure took up Ksh6.8m, billboards and aluminum signage cost Ksh18m, trade energy and industrialization cost Ksh13m, payment of electricity bills cost Ksh13m, and land and urban planning cost Ksh25m.
On flowers, Governor Lusaka said the urban beautification cost the county government Ksh25 million. He also noted that gender and culture preparations took up Ksh5m, the preparation of the county handbook Ksh5m, and the renovation of the Masinde Muliro Stadium cost Ksh60m.
Further, Lusaka said the public service management administration cost the county Ksh12 million, catering services, water, sodas, and juice cost Ksh4 million, and advertising and media mobilization cost Ksh8 million.
The governor also clarified that the county had 352 bank accounts, including 10 with the Central Bank and nine special purpose accounts.
Of these accounts, 152 belonged to the 152 vocational training centres spread across the county, and 19 belonged to the 19 health facilities. Four accounts, the governor said, were for the county’s own source revenues.
Lusaka defends trips
Lusaka also noted that he had travelled to Morocco, Zambia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Colombia, and South Korea since assuming office in 2022 and that no public funds had been wasted on the international trips, most of which he said were sponsored.
Responding to concerns that monies meant for development had been returned to the Treasury, the governor denied such reports, saying they were false.
“There are no development funds that have been returned to the treasury since 2022; the county has so far spent Ksh5.1 billion on development projects since I took office in 2022,” Lusaka said.
He mentioned Kandui stalls and bus park, Kamkuya market administration block, and Sang’alo as some of the projects undertaken since becoming the governor.
The governor also noted that his government was conducting a reorganization of procurement and finance departments after the youth complained of rampant corruption.
“Do not destroy property when you come to ask for accountability,” the governor urged the youth.
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