A stormy session at the Senate has exposed yet another bizarre chapter in county expenditure, with Bungoma County accused of blowing millions on festive decorations three months ahead of schedule. Governor Ken Lusaka has fought to distance himself from the Sh3 million Christmas tree scandal, shifting the blame to his predecessor in a tense face-off with legislators.

The Senate’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) became the theatre of accountability on Monday as Governor Lusaka was grilled over the 2019 expenditure. At the heart of the inquiry was the baffling decision by the county administration to spend over KSh 3 million to light a Christmas tree in September—a time when most Kenyans are barely thinking about the festive season. The revelation has reignited memories of the infamous wheelbarrow scandal, painting a picture of a county government struggling to shed a legacy of questionable spending priorities.

The September Christmas Mystery

The interrogation, led by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, peeled back the layers of the auditor’s report, revealing that the funds were dispatched with unusual haste. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna did not mince his words, questioning the logic behind celebrating the birth of Christ in the third quarter of the year. "How does a government explain lighting a Christmas tree in September?" Sifuna posed, capturing the bewilderment of the committee. "This is not just about the money; it is about the sheer absurdity of the decision-making process."

Lusaka, appearing pensive but composed, mounted a defense anchored on the timeline of his tenure. He vehemently denied personal responsibility, pointing out that the expenditure occurred in 2019, a period when Wycliffe Wangamati was at the helm of the county. "I was not the Governor of Bungoma in 2019," Lusaka told the committee. "The burden of this expenditure lies with the previous administration, and I urge this committee to seek answers from those who were in office."

A Legacy of Fiscal Question Marks

This latest scandal is not an isolated incident for Bungoma County. It follows a pattern of spending that has often left the public agape. The county previously made headlines for purchasing wheelbarrows at an inflated cost of KSh 109,000 each, a saga that became a national symbol of devolution gone wrong. The "September Christmas" affair reinforces concerns about the internal controls and approval processes within the county treasury.

• The Wheelbarrow Ghost: The shadow of the 2015 non-carcinogenic wheelbarrow scandal continues to loom over Bungoma, serving as a benchmark for fiscal absurdity.
• The Wangamati Era: Lusaka’s defense relies heavily on the fact that the 2017-2022 period was under the stewardship of Wycliffe Wangamati, urging the Senate to summon the former governor.
• Committee’s Stance: Senator Kajwang’ insisted that while Lusaka might not have been the spender, as the current county boss, he bears the burden of accountability for the county's assets and liabilities.

The Blame Game Continues

The session ended with more questions than answers. While Lusaka succeeded in establishing the timeline, the question of how public funds could be utilized for such a frivolity remains unanswered. The committee has hinted at summoning former Governor Wangamati to shed light on the rationale behind the early festivities. For the residents of Bungoma, the drama in Nairobi offers little comfort. They are left wondering whether their county will ever move past the era of sensational spending scandals and focus on development that impacts their daily lives.

As the auditors dig deeper, the "September Christmas" stands as a stark reminder of the impunity that often characterizes public spending in the devolved units. It is a story of twisted priorities, where the festive lights shine bright on corruption, leaving the taxpayer in the dark.