Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka appeared before the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on Monday to address concerns surrounding the county’s management of an extensive network of 352 bank accounts. Amid mounting scrutiny, Lusaka affirmed that the accounts are both legally compliant and crucial for managing county resources effectively and was established with the approval of the Controller of Budget and the Central Bank of Kenya.
Governor Lusaka detailed the breakdown of the accounts, revealing that the majority serve specific functions related to essential services. Of the 352 accounts, 152 are designated for Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) and 146 for health facilities and dispensaries. The remainder is allocated to various other needs, including Established Public Funds (10), Special Purpose Funds (9), Project Management (1), Sub County Imprest (9), Mabanga Operations (19), Level 4 & 5 Hospitals (19), and Own Source Revenue Collection (4).
Lusaka emphasized that many of these accounts are required for operational transparency and efficiency, particularly those tied to donor funds for health facilities which necessitate separate accounts to ensure proper fund management. He reassured that these accounts are subject to regular audits and are included in the county’s quarterly financial statements.
Senator Abbas Mohamed, who chairs the Senate committee, requested further clarity on the management of these accounts. He directed Lusaka to provide a comprehensive report, including the names of individuals responsible for managing each account, within the next three weeks.
The committee’s demand for additional information underscores the Senate’s commitment to ensuring financial accountability and transparency at the county level. Governor Lusaka’s call for an independent audit reflects his willingness to uphold these principles and address any concerns raised by the committee.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on the forthcoming audit and the detailed report expected to shed further light on the management and utilization of Bungoma’s bank accounts.
