Bungoma

EACC Launches Probe Into Bungoma County’s 3.7 Million Christmas Tree

Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has initiated a comprehensive investigation into Bungoma County Government’s financial management following questionable expenditures totaling KSh 6.6 million on two controversial activities.

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Kenneth Lusaka, Current Governor Bungoma county

Investigation Scope and Background

The anti-corruption watchdog’s probe centers on two significant financial outlays that have raised red flags among oversight bodies:

KSh 3.7 million allocated for a Christmas tree lighting ceremony
KSh 2.8 million spent on an international benchmarking expedition

The investigation was triggered by findings contained in the Auditor General’s annual report, which identified potential irregularities in how these public funds were utilized during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 financial periods.

Senate Committee Intervention

The EACC’s formal inquiry follows direct engagement with the Senate Public Accounts Committee, which invited the commission to examine accounting discrepancies flagged in the audit report. During parliamentary proceedings, Governor Kenneth Lusaka faced intense questioning regarding these expenditures.

Timeline Concerns Raised

A particularly contentious issue emerged regarding the timing of the Christmas tree lighting event, which reportedly took place in September 2019—a full three months before the December festive season. Senate reviewers questioned the justification for such early preparations and the substantial budget allocation.

According to audit documentation, the funds for this event were withdrawn from County Vote accounts through what officials described as an imprest advance, though questions remain about proper authorization protocols.

Document Requests and Evidence Gathering

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has formally contacted Bungoma County’s administrative leadership, requesting extensive documentation to support their investigation. Letters addressed to both the County Secretary and County Clerk outline specific materials required for the probe.

Required Documentation Includes:

Budget Authorization Records: Original approved budgets and supplementary appropriations for fiscal years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021
Departmental Requisitions: Formal requests from user departments justifying the expenditures
Financial Instruments: Imprest warrants, cashbook entries, and banking deposit confirmations
Personnel Information: Personal files of officials involved in approving and executing the expenditures
Trip Documentation: Complete correspondence and supporting materials related to the Uganda benchmarking mission and festive event planning

The commission has established February 16, 2026, as the deadline for submission of these materials to investigating officers.

Details of the Benchmarking Trip

Investigation records reveal that 22 Members of the County Assembly, accompanied by senior County Executive officials, undertook a study tour to Mbale, Uganda. The journey’s stated purpose was benchmarking against comparable administrative structures, though the KSh 2.8 million price tag has drawn scrutiny.

When combined with the Christmas celebration expenditure, total spending on these two activities reached approximately KSh 6.6 million—a sum that oversight authorities consider substantial given the county’s budgetary constraints and development priorities.

Legal Framework for Investigation

The EACC has invoked its constitutional and statutory authority to pursue this investigation, specifically citing:

Article 252(1)(a) and (d) of the Kenyan Constitution: Establishing the commission’s mandate to investigate corruption and economic crimes
Section 11 of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act, 2011: Granting investigative powers over suspected fraud and mismanagement of public resources

The commission’s formal communication emphasized that the probe addresses potential corruption, fraudulent practices, and improper stewardship of taxpayer funds.

Historical Context of Governance Challenges

This latest investigation adds to Bungoma County’s troubled history with financial accountability and corruption allegations.

Previous Corruption Cases

Former Governor Wycliffe Wangamati faced serious criminal charges involving alleged kickbacks exceeding KSh 31 million from county contractors. The case implicated 18 co-accused individuals, including family members. All defendants entered not guilty pleas and were subsequently released on bond pending trial proceedings.

Current Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who previously served in the same position starting in 2015, has faced his own procurement-related controversies. He was previously accused of involvement in a procurement scandal where wheelbarrow purchases were allegedly inflated to KSh 109,000 per unit—a price widely criticized as grossly excessive for basic agricultural equipment.

Public Accountability Concerns

The recurring pattern of questionable expenditures has intensified calls for stronger financial controls and transparency mechanisms within county governments across Kenya.

Key Questions Being Asked:

Why was a Christmas event organized three months before the festive season?
Were proper procurement procedures followed for both activities?
Did the benchmarking trip deliver value proportionate to its cost?
Were there conflicts of interest in approving these expenditures?
What oversight mechanisms failed to prevent these questionable allocations?

Implications for County Governance

This investigation represents part of broader efforts to strengthen accountability in Kenya’s devolved government system. County administrations control significant public resources, making proper oversight essential for preventing corruption and ensuring taxpayer money serves public interests.

Reform Discussions

Good governance advocates have called for:

Enhanced real-time auditing of county expenditures
Stricter limits on discretionary spending by county executives
Mandatory public disclosure of all international travel by officials
Stronger penalties for misuse of public funds
Independent oversight of county procurement processes

What Happens Next

The EACC’s investigation will proceed through several phases:

Document Review: Analysis of all requested materials from county offices
Witness Interviews: Statements from officials involved in approving and executing the expenditures
Financial Forensics: Detailed examination of money trails and payment authorizations
Legal Assessment: Determination of whether criminal charges are warranted
Prosecution Referral: If evidence supports criminal wrongdoing, cases will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions

Should investigators uncover sufficient evidence of corruption or fraud, county officials could face criminal charges, asset recovery proceedings, and potential imprisonment.

County Response Awaited

As of this report’s publication, Bungoma County Government has not issued an official statement regarding the investigation. Governor Lusaka’s administration has until the February 16 deadline to submit requested documentation to EACC officers.

The outcome of this probe could have significant ramifications not only for Bungoma County leadership but also for how county governments nationwide approach financial management and accountability.

Developing Story: This article will be updated as new information becomes available from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and Bungoma County Government.

Quick Facts

Investigation Target: Bungoma County Government expenditures
Total Amount Under Scrutiny: KSh 6.6 million
Investigating Body: Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)
Document Deadline: February 16, 2026
Current Governor: Kenneth Lusaka
Legal Basis: Constitution Article 252; Ethics Act Section 11

Keywords: EACC investigation, Bungoma County corruption, Kenya county government fraud, Christmas tree spending scandal, benchmarking trip expenses, Governor Kenneth Lusaka, public funds mismanagement, Auditor General report, Senate Public Accounts Committee, anti-corruption Kenya

Related Topics: County Government Accountability, Public Expenditure Oversight, Devolution in Kenya, Anti-Corruption Efforts, Audit Compliance