Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka on Sunday dismissed a report published by the Controller of Budget (CoB) revealing that his government spent over Ksh 600 million on travel expenses in the Financial Year 2022/2023.
According to CoB's report, Bungoma County was the third highest spender on travel expenses with Ksh696.24 million behind Turkana which was ranked first after spending Ksh1.14 billion, and Migori at second position with Ksh894.32 million.
Tana River (Ksh532.65 million) and Nairobi (Ksh529 million) were ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
In a statement, Lusaka faulted the report claiming that a huge chunk of the funds were used on operational and recurrent expenses including fuel costs, repairs, and travel allowances.
Some of the funds, according to the governor, were used to settle bills accrued by the previous regime and to repair county vehicles that were grounded in garages.
Lusaka accused the media of sensationalising such reports and urged that they verify the claims before publishing the information.
He also raised questions over the formula used by the Controller of Budget to come up with the reports, asking that the process be made clear.
In the interview, the governor also announced plans to employ more than 200 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Bungoma County.
In addition, he plans to equip vocational training centers to provide the youth with skills that can give them jobs.
In other developments, Bumula MP Jack Wamboka has threatened to sue the county over the hiring of 20 doctors claiming regional balance was not adhered to.
Wamboka claims that Governor Lusaka snubbed Bumula Constituency in hiring doctors.
