Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has revealed that his county spent Ksh18 million and Ksh25 million for billboards and flowers respectively ahead of the Madaraka Day celebrations held on June 1, 2024.
Lusaka issued a breakdown of how the money was spent while responding to questions raised by youth in the County majorly comprised of Gen Z during the protests.
The governor said Bungoma county assembly approved a total amount of Ksh148 million that was spent during the celebrations held at the Masinde Muliro stadium.
According to him, a total amount of Ksh25 million of the allocation went towards the beautification of Bungoma town ahead of the celebrations.
Governor Lusaka said the beautification included the purchase and planting of flowers along the Musikoma-Kanduyi dual-carriageway.
“The money that was spent during the national function was spent accordingly,” Lusaka said.
According to the governor, the millions were spent as follows; Billboard and Signage (emergency) Ksh18 million, Renovation of district centers for early childhood education Ksh1 million, Other Infrastructure and Civil works Ksh6 million.
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How Bungoma County spent Ksh148 M for Madaraka Celebrations
Payment of electricity bill Ksh13 million, Gender and Culture (preparation of county handwork) Ksh5 million, Completion of Masinde Muliro Stadium Ksh60 million, Catering services (water, juice, soda) Ksh4 million.
On the other hand, Lusaka revealed that a total amount of Ksh16 million was spent for Advertising, awareness and publicity.
This was utilized as follows; Commercial Ksh1 million, Digital communication Ksh1.5 million, Jumbo flag Ksh1 million, Miniature flags Ksh2 million, Printing of flyers Ksh2.5 million and Media mobilization Ksh8 million.
Lusaka at the same time admitted that Bungoma County operates 352 bank accounts as highlighted earlier in the auditor general’s report.
The Bungoma Governor was responding to a petition filed by the Gen Zs in the county on transparency and accountability.
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Lusaka Responds to Concerns on 352 bank accounts
The youth had submitted a petition highlighting several key issues concerning county governance and administration.
“The youth have raised legitimate concerns which deserve our full attention,” stated Lusaka
Among the key concerns by the youth was the recent revelation that the county operates 352 bank accounts.
Lusaka confirmed the existence of these accounts, categorizing them into established public funds, special purpose accounts, project management accounts, and various others linked to county operations.
He said the accounts include Level 4 and 5 hospital accounts (19), Own source Revenue collection accounts- For local revenue collection in the county treasury (four), Vocational Training Centre accounts (152) and Health facility and dispensary accounts- for all dispensaries and health facilities in the Ministry of Health (146).
Other accounts owned by the county are Established public funds account (10), special purpose accounts- NGRIP account, Bungoma Municipality Urban development grant account, Kimilili municipality special purpose account retention account (nine), project management accounts- in the ministry of water and tourism (one), Subcounty Imprest accounts- for the department of public administration in all the nine sub counties (nine) and Mabanga ATC operation accounts- Ministry of Agriculture (two).
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