Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli has launched a scathing attack on Governor Kenneth Lusaka, accusing him of poor service delivery and claiming the governor has been riding on national government development projects to bolster his political image.

Speaking during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Siritanyi Primary School in Kanduyi, Wakoli said the county government under governor Lusaka has failed to address key sectors under its mandate, citing deteriorating Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres, poor road infrastructure and persistent shortages of essential medicines in public health facilities.

The Ford Kenya senator argued that despite receiving billions of shillings in annual county allocations, residents continue to grapple with poor services, saying the county administration has fallen short of public expectations.

“The people of Bungoma deserve better services. Many ECDE centres are in a deplorable condition, roads remain impassable in many parts of the county and patients continue to suffer because health facilities lack essential medicines. These are devolved functions that the county government must urgently address,” Wakoli said.

He maintained that his constitutional oversight role would continue undisrupted despite what he described as attempts by the governor to undermine him.

Wakoli accused Lusaka of dismissing his oversight efforts on account of his age and political experience, saying leadership should be judged by service delivery rather than seniority.

 “Some people think because I am younger I should not question how county resources are being used. Oversight is not determined by age but by the Constitution. I was elected by the people of Bungoma to ensure public resources are properly utilized and I will continue performing that responsibility without fear or favour,” he said.

The senator further accused the governor of taking credit for national government-funded projects, particularly the ongoing construction of modern markets across Bungoma County.

Wakoli argued that the markets are being financed by President William Ruto’s administration under the national government’s economic empowerment agenda and should not be portrayed as county government achievements.

 “The modern markets being constructed across Bungoma are projects of the national government under President William Ruto. It is misleading for anyone to claim credit for projects funded and implemented by the national government. Leaders should tell the public the truth instead of misleading them,” Wakoli said.

The senator also weighed in on the ongoing nationwide nurses’ strike, which has disrupted services in public hospitals urging health CS Aden Duale to urgently intervene and restore normal healthcare services.

He said prolonged industrial action has exposed vulnerable patients to unnecessary suffering and called for speedy dialogue between the government and healthcare workers.

“Services in our hospitals have been paralyzed by the nurses’ strike. I appeal to CS Aden Duale to move with speed and resolve this dispute because ordinary Kenyans are the ones bearing the greatest burden,” he said.

However, Wakoli reaffirmed his support for President William Ruto’s re-election in the 2027 polls urging residents of the Western region to remain firmly behind the Kenya Kwanza administration.

He argued that the region stands to benefit more by maintaining close ties with the national government and ensuring the continuity of ongoing development programmes.

The senator also rallied leaders and residents from Western Kenya to begin laying the groundwork for National Assembly Speaker Dr. Moses Wetang’ula’s presidential bid in 2032, saying the region’s time to produce the country’s top leadership was approaching.

 “Western Kenya must remain united. We should support President William Ruto’s re-election next year while preparing ourselves to rally behind our own son, Speaker Dr. Moses Wetang’ula, for the presidency in 2032. Our region has the numbers and the leadership capacity to lead this country,” Wakoli said.

Former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga, who also attended the function echoed Wakoli’s sentiments and urged Western Kenya residents to overwhelmingly support President Ruto’s second-term bid.

Mabonga said the Kenya Kwanza administration had initiated key development projects across the region and deserved another term to complete its agenda.

He appealed to local leaders to remain united and avoid divisive politics that could undermine the region’s bargaining power at the national level.

Also present was Kanduyi MP John Makali.