Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has revealed that Bungoma spent a Sh25 million towards the beautification of the town ahead of the Madaraka Day celebrations.
Addressing the press on Friday, Lusaka said the beautification included the purchase and planting of flowers along the Musikoma-Kanduyi dual-carriageway.
While responding to the questions raised by Gen Z during protests, Lusaka said the Bungoma county assembly approved Sh148 million that was spent during the celebrations.
“The money that was spent during the national function was spent accordingly,” Lusaka said.
It was spent as follows; Education and Vocational Training Centres Sh1 million, renovation of district centres for early childhood education Sh1 million, roads and public works Sh24 million, other infrastructural works Sh6 million.
Billboard and signage Sh18 million, trade, energy and industrialisation Sh13 million, payment of electricity bill Sh13 million, lands, urban and physical Sh25 million, gender and culture Sh5 million.
Others were preparation of county handwork Sh5 million, youths and sports Sh60 million, completion of Masinde Muliro Stadium Sh60 million, public service management and administration Sh12 million, catering services (water, juice, soda) Sh4 million.
Advertising, awareness and publicity (commercial) Sh1 million, advertising, awareness and publicity (digital communication) Sh1.5 million, advertising, awareness and publicity (jumbo flag) Sh1 million, advertising, awareness and publicity (miniature flags) Sh2 million, advertising, awareness and publicity Sh2.5 million and media mobilisation and publicity Sh8 million.
At the same time, Lusaka admitted that Bungoma operates 352 bank accounts as highlighted earlier in the auditor general’s report.
He said the accounts include; 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 subcounties (nine) and Mabanga ATC operation accounts- Ministry of Agriculture (two).
Others accounts owned by the county are 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).
Lusaka also directed CEC for gender, culture, youths and sports to proceed on compulsory leave for one month pending investigations into allegations of graft in her docket.