Former Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has come out with clarity over claims that he spent at least Ksh3.6 million to light a Christmas tree during his leadership as Bungoma County Governor.
Taking to his Facebook account on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Wangamati has distanced himself from misappropriations of funds.
“I have heard, seen, and read claims alleging that under my leadership, Ksh3.6 million was spent on a Christmas tree. Let me clarify two things,” Wangamati said.
Wangamati dismissed the claims of spending such an amount on lighting a Christmas tree or even purchasing one. He went on discrediting the senators who referred to the Ksh3.6 million as a Christmas tree expenditure.
“I am not that kind of man. I am not known to splash public money recklessly or without a conscience. That is not how I earned the nickname “Ku-save.” For the avoidance of doubt, no such purchase ever took place – certainly not under my leadership. I do not understand at what point a Senator got to refer to it as expenditure on a Christmas tree!,” Wangamati said.
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According to Wangamati, the stated funds by the senators were for a facilitation for a benchmarking trip to Mbale, Uganda, and allowances paid to Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) who travelled.
He went on explaining that the money was cashed by and paid out to MCAs by Francis Tome, who was then Deputy Clerk of the County Assembly.
“The funds in question were facilitation for a benchmarking trip to Mbale, Uganda, and allowances paid to Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) who travelled. The imprest in question was cashed by and paid out to MCAs by Francis Tome, who was then Deputy Clerk of the County Assembly,” he added.
Likewise, Wangamati further maintained that he did not handle the said money, nor did he make the payments to the MCAs who travelled.
While distancing himself from the expenditure, Wamgamati maintained that the County Assembly leadership is responsible for the amounts listed out.
“For charity’s sake, my office neither handled the said money nor made any payments to the MCAs that travelled. If there are questions, they should be directed to the County Assembly leadership because the Executive does not supervise the Assembly. Its the Assembly that supervises the Executive. Mimi ni mweupe kama pamba,” he explained.
