Governor Lusaka appears before Senate committee to address audit reports and devolution concerns

Governor Kenneth Lusaka today appeared before the Senate’s Public Investments Committee, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, to respond to the 2023/2024 audit reports concerning Bungoma and Kimilili municipalities, as well as the Bungoma County Referral Hospital.

The committee, sitting in Nairobi, also sought clarification on the staffing levels of health workers and the status of the fixed assets register at the county referral hospital.

Governor Lusaka reaffirmed the county’s commitment to strengthening devolved governance through effective collaboration with its municipalities.

“Municipalities are essential engines for grassroots development, and we continue to work within the legal framework to ensure they function efficiently,” said Lusaka. “However, the claw-back on devolution has significantly hampered critical functions, particularly the independence of our municipalities.”

In its preliminary findings, the committee urged the Council of Governors (CoG) to expedite legislative proposals aimed at enhancing the operational autonomy of municipalities—especially in key areas such as revenue collection and infrastructure development.

“The success of devolution hinges on the capacity of municipalities to manage core functions without unnecessary interference,” Senator Osotsi noted.

Additionally, the committee recommended that Bungoma County regularly update its fixed assets register and address staffing gaps at the county referral hospital to improve service delivery.

The governor pledged to act on the recommendations, reinforcing the county’s dedication to transparency and effective governance.