The Senate has raised concern over allegations by the Council of Governors (CoG) that the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) and the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee (CPIC) are engaging in political witch-hunts, extortion, and harassment of governors summoned to appear before them.
In a statement, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi said the upper house will not back down from its constitutional oversight mandate to ensure accountability and the prudent use of funds in county governments.
Kingi urged governors to use established channels, including formal dialogue, to raise their concerns, warning that unsubstantiated allegations in the media could undermine intergovernmental cooperation.
“Should the Council of Governors have concerns regarding the conduct or operations of Senate committees, established and legitimate institutional channels exist through which such concerns may be formally raised and addressed,” he said.
The statement follows a CoG directive instructing governors to suspend appearances before CPAC and to limit appearances before CPIC to once per audit cycle. The council also demanded the reconstitution of CPAC, citing alleged misconduct by four unnamed committee members.
Speaking exclusively to KBC Channel 1, CPAC Chair Moses Kajwang and CPIC Chair Godfrey Osotsi warned that governors who defy committee summons risk fines, surcharges, and the withholding of county funds for the current fiscal year.
Kajwang and Osotsi challenged the CoG to substantiate its claims of extortion and intimidation, noting that Senate committees rely on Auditor-General reports to uncover misappropriation of public funds.
Despite the CoG directive, Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu and Kitui Governor Julius Malombe appeared before the committees on Tuesday to respond to audit queries. Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, however, defied the invitation and has now been officially summoned. Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire have also been summoned for failing to appear.
The committees are scheduled to hear from Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Thursday to explain why some governors have not been produced despite official requests.
The standoff comes as 14 counties risk sanctions for skipping Senate summons to attend a retreat in Kilifi.
