Senator David Wakoli addressing the Senate on Wednesday…Photo/IP.
By IP Political Desk.
www.intellectualpost.co.ke
NAIROBI, Kenya – July 30, 2025
Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli has taken a bold step toward demanding financial transparency in his county, formally seeking answers from Senate committees on how Bungoma utilized billions allocated from the Equalization Fund over the past four financial years.
Rising on the floor of the Senate today, Wakoli requested a comprehensive statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, among other relevant oversight bodies, covering the financial years 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
“It is our duty to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of these funds, which are meant to uplift marginalized communities,” Wakoli said.
Billions Allocated, but What Changed?
The Equalization Fund—enshrined in Article 204 of the Constitution—is meant to fast-track development in historically marginalized areas like Bungoma, by providing water, roads, electricity, and health services.
Wakoli’s concern reflects growing unease: despite receiving substantial allocations during the four-year period, many Bungoma residents say the impact on the ground is negligible.
“The people of Bungoma deserve to know how every coin meant to improve their lives has been spent,” the senator emphasized, his tone firm but measured.
The senator’s intervention now compels the Senate to scrutinize the county government’s expenditure records, project outcomes, procurement processes, and the role of implementing agencies in delivering services.
Residents Left Behind?
On the ground, residents of areas such as Cheptais, Mt. Elgon, Naitiri, and Kabuchai have voiced frustration over stalled water projects, poor road connectivity, and health centers lacking medicine or staff.
The question on many lips is whether these projects were ever properly budgeted for or completed.
While Bungoma has consistently been listed as a beneficiary of the fund in national budget reports, detailed expenditure audits remain elusive.
This lack of accountability has fueled speculation that either funds were mismanaged or projects were misprioritized.
Why This Statement Matters.
Wakoli’s statement is more than a call for information—it’s a political and moral declaration that marginalized counties cannot continue to operate in a fog of financial secrecy.
Analysts say his move could also serve as a precedent for other counties receiving Equalization Fund resources, encouraging senators and MPs to follow suit in demanding clarity.
What Comes Next?
The relevant Senate committees are expected to summon officials from the Bungoma County Treasury, the Controller of Budget, and possibly the Office of the Auditor-General to respond to Wakoli’s query.
If gaps are found, the process may trigger investigations or recommendations for corrective action.
Wakoli, elected on a platform of youth empowerment and integrity, is positioning himself as a watchdog of public finance—a role that many Bungoma constituents say has been long overdue.
Intellectual Post will continue to monitor the Senate proceedings and provide updates as the story develops. Stay with us at www.intellectualpost.co.ke for the facts that matter.
