Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka has vehemently refuted allegations of corruption in the county, branding them as reckless and unfounded.

The claims were initially raised by Sirisia MP John Waluke, who criticised the county government’s governance and development record during a recent interview.

In a strongly worded statement, Lusaka dismissed Waluke’s remarks as misleading and a deliberate attempt to tarnish his administration’s reputation.

"My attention has been drawn to the reckless and laughable utterances by Sirisia MP John Waluke during a recent interview, where he peddled baseless claims of rampant corruption in Bungoma county," Lusaka wrote.

He specifically addressed concerns over the county’s garbage collection tender, arguing that Waluke’s comments reflected either ignorance or a lack of understanding of basic civic operations.

“One can only wonder whether he was speaking out of sheer ignorance or if he simply lacks the capacity to appreciate basic civic operations. Either way, such absurdity can only be conjured up by a man of his caliber," he added.

The governor highlighted Bungoma’s significant progress in infrastructure, healthcare, and economic empowerment, challenging Waluke to acknowledge the county’s tangible developments.

He rejected claims that Bungoma had little to show for his tenure, attributing such statements to selective blindness.

Further intensifying his rebuttal, Lusaka turned the focus onto Waluke’s own record, asserting that the MP was the least qualified individual to comment on corruption.

He referenced Waluke’s previous legal troubles, including a conviction related to defrauding Kenyans of maize meant for famine relief.

“The irony of a man with such a tainted past lecturing others on integrity is nothing short of comical,” Lusaka remarked. He also pointed to an Auditor General’s report that flagged Ksh 35 million in fictitious bursary allocations under Waluke’s management of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Lusaka called on leaders to engage in constructive criticism rather than resorting to “petty mudslinging and outdated theatrics.”

He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to development despite political distractions.

“As leaders, we owe it to our people to uphold mutual respect and decorum. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but I will not entertain blatant lies and cheap blackmail,” Lusaka asserted.

He concluded by emphasising that his administration is committed to delivering impactful projects for Bungoma residents, adding that political noise would not derail his vision.

Source: TUKO.co.ke