BUNGOMA: Senate to query Lusaka on allegations of funds misuse

Senators are set to question Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka over multiple financial irregularities in the county following complaints by residents.

The county boss will appear before the Senate Finance Committee that is handling a petition raising more than 20 issues touching on how money allocated to the devolved unit was used between 2013 and 2015.

The petition by Mr Philip Wanyonyi, Mr Albert Simiyu, Mr John Wekesa, Mr John Mukenya and Ms Jacinta Nabuchia was brought before the Senate in May and was directed to the committee chaired by Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow. The House team began looking at it last week.

Mr Kerrow on Tuesday said Mr Lusaka is expected before the team next week.

“The public resources are not used prudently, responsibly, effectively and efficiently for sustainable access and delivery of services ,” said the petitioners.
The petitioners met the committee at County Hall, Nairobi.

DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY

They said the devolved government had failed to adhere to the Public Finance Management Act that demands accountability for funds spent by all public entities.

Issues raised in the petition touch on procurement of goods and services, revenue collection and distribution of allocated money. “Money has been allocated for special programmes yet none has taken place. The office has not accounted for the money given,” said Mr Simiyu.

Mr Kerrow challenged them to provide evidence for their allegations so that the committee could pursue the matter adequately.

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, a member of the committee, said it was unfortunate that money was being spent inappropriately in his county.