Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka and Senator David Wakoli…Photo/IP

By James Murunga

Dear people of Bungoma County, let’s have an honest conversation.

We cannot keep trending slogans while our projects trend for the wrong reasons.

Remember the famous “Christmas tree” saga?

A festive symbol that became a metaphor for how public funds can sparkle briefly — then disappear without accountability.

It was funny… until you remember whose money it was.

Now look around:

• The poor workmanship on the Kanduyi–Musikoma dual carriageway.
  A road that should symbolize growth, but parts of it already whisper “come back for repairs soon.”

• The stalled Misikhu Brigadier road — parked like an abandoned campaign promise.

• The industrial park that was supposed to unlock jobs for our youth — now quieter than a library on a Sunday afternoon.

• The so-called chicken slaughterhouse that cannot slaughter ambition, let alone poultry.

• The reported Sh24 million “beautification” of a dual carriageway that, at the time, residents could barely see.

• Hospitals without drugs, where patients are handed prescriptions like shopping lists.

• A fire station that struggles to respond effectively when emergencies strike.

These are not opposition talking points. These are lived realities.

Have you checked the reports from the Office of the Controller of Budget?

Have you followed how the Senate of Kenya questions counties over pending bills, procurement gaps and stalled development?

Accountability is not a witch-hunt.

One civil society activist told me:

“Scrutiny is not persecution. If funds were used properly, documents will defend the leaders.”

A youth representative added:

“Let it not be about clan or ‘our person.’

When money is shared, it is shared in private.

When poverty bites, it bites all of us.”

And a governance analyst put it plainly:

“If we clap for slogans louder than we read audit reports, we are participating in our own underdevelopment.”

Bungoma, poverty has no tribe.

Unemployment has no political party.

Corruption does not check surnames before it strikes.

If development funds were allocated, we should see development.

If money was spent, we should see value.

If leaders performed, scrutiny will only strengthen them.

But if we reduce politics to chants and influencer hype, don’t be surprised when the only thing fully functional is the campaign sound system.

Read the reports. Follow the money. Demand answers.

Because roads are not built by hashtags.

Hospitals are not stocked by slogans.

And fire engines do not run on political loyalty.