Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Blue Economy, has launched a sweeping investigation into the utilization of donor funds and county allocations directed toward agriculture, with Bungoma County taking center stage.
Speaking on Saturday at Mabanga Agricultural Training College (ATC) during a high-level meeting attended by Governor Kenneth Lusaka and senior county officials, Senator Wakoli underscored the need for transparency and accountability in the agriculture sector.
“Our objective is to establish how agriculture-related donor funds have been spent, particularly in Bungoma. We want to ensure these resources are used prudently to benefit farmers and improve food production,” said Wakoli.
The Senator revealed that the committee would soon inspect coffee cooperatives in the region, following a surge in complaints from farmers over alleged mismanagement and corruption within the societies.
“We’ve received complaints from farmers about alleged mismanagement in coffee societies. We’ll be conducting thorough checks to understand how they are operating and where the money is going,” he added.
Senator Wakoli, elected under the Ford Kenya party, highlighted that the committee’s mandate includes oversight of livestock such as goats, sheep, donkeys, and camels, as well as the blue economy, encompassing fisheries and horticulture.
“Our committee covers a wide scope, and we’re particularly keen on examining whether counties are aligning agricultural value chains with the growth of industrial parks. These developments should translate into tangible benefits for people at the grassroots,” he stated.
The Senate probe seeks to assess the broader impact of devolution on agriculture and determine if the billions allocated since the advent of county governments are delivering results on the ground.
Following the investigations, Wakoli said the committee will table actionable recommendations in the Senate. Matters that fall outside county jurisdiction will be escalated to the relevant national ministries for redress.
Governor Lusaka welcomed the Senate committee’s oversight, terming it timely and critical for shaping the county’s agricultural future.
“We look forward to the committee’s findings. They will guide us in improving service delivery and ensuring agriculture becomes a pillar of economic transformation in Bungoma,” said Lusaka.
The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to visit several counties in the coming months, focusing on donor-funded agricultural projects, cooperative societies, and integration with county industrial plans.
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