The Bungoma Stakeholders Forum has threatened to sue the County Government if it does not revoke the purchase of land believed to have been grossly over-valued. Here is a scathing statement by Mr STEPHEN MUTORO, the chairman of Bungoma Stakeholders Forum (BSF).
“The Bungoma County Stakeholders Forum (BSF) is concerned at the revelations of excessive impropriety and disregard for the public interest within the County Government of Bungoma. Specifically, it is unacceptable and indeed fraudulent for the county to claim to have spent Sh153M on a 32-acre land purchase, which should have cost no more than Sh32M. 
It is incomprehensible how a parcel of land, which would ideally cost (at most) Sh1M per acre would be purchased at whopping Sh4.8M per acre. That the County Government reduces criticism of the same to partisan politics is cheap and wishful thinking which must be condemned in strongest terms possible. This can only amount to abuse of office and powers.
It is equally an affront on Article 232(1)(b) of the Constitution which specifies “efficient, effective and economic use of resources” as a value and principle of public service, which Governor Ken Lusaka (pictured, above) and his Government are not exempted from. We are also aware that the tendering of the said land purchase fell shy of the basic provisions of Public Procurement & Disposal Act, 2005. It was not competitive. It was a single sourcing contrary to the letter and spirit of the law.
Under the circumstances, we hereby issue a 14-day ultimatum to Governor Ken Lusaka and his Government to immediately revoke the transaction. We also urge the PPOA and EACC to investigate the matter. Failure to do so will result in our legal intervention. We will also be calling on the people of Bungoma County, on a date be announced, to a major peaceful demonstration against this and other malpractices within the County.
While at it, we have received other complaints on exorbitant and or luxury expenditures within the County including flying in a renown Congolese musician, Kanda Bongo Man, from France into the County for an event. The purchase of various medical equipment, including patient monitors, exceeded the reasonable and known purchase prices.
Another complaint is that Sh5M belonging to the Youth Ministry is said to have been irregularly expended as a donation for motor-cycles groups during a fundraiser graced by His Excellency the Deputy President within the County. The proceeds of the said harambee are yet to reach the intended beneficiaries.
The recent World Bank study showed that although the County was third in the amount of revenue allocations, its expenditure on development projects is rated among the worst. We urge all County residents, clergy, elected leaders, professionals and other stakeholders to rise up and defend their right.
Of essence, it will be important for the County Assembly of Bungoma to play its’ rightful oversight role without fear or favour. Finally, we would like to caution West Kenya Sugar factory management that we will not allow further destruction of County roads when the rain season commences.”
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