Contractors and suppliers in Bungoma County held peaceful demonstrations in the Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday, protesting delayed payments from the county government for completed projects and services.
The demonstrators, drawn from various sectors across the county, submitted petitions to several key institutions, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Bungoma County Assembly, the Office of the Bungoma Senator, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Western Region office.
In the petitions, the group called for immediate investigations into the delayed payments and alleged deep-rooted corruption within the county government. They attributed the ongoing financial mismanagement to what they described as the appointment of unqualified individuals to key positions under Governor Kenneth Lusaka’s administration.
The contractors and suppliers issued a 14-day ultimatum to the petitioned offices, demanding formal responses and concrete action. They warned that failure to address their grievances within the stipulated period would lead to heightened protests, with plans to stage countywide demonstrations aimed at disrupting normal operations until their payments are resolved.
As of the time of reporting, the Governor’s office had not issued an official response. However, an internal source within the county government indicated that discussions were ongoing regarding a possible payment plan.
The demonstrations underscore growing public frustration over perceived mismanagement of public resources in Bungoma County. Civic groups and local watchdog organisations have also expressed concern, urging oversight agencies to take prompt and decisive action.
With the ultimatum now in effect, attention turns to whether authorities will act swiftly to investigate the matter and restore public trust in the county’s financial management systems.
