Governors Condemn Forceful Handling Of Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit
Politics Updated: 02 April 2026 16:27 EAT
The Council of Governors has condemned what it described as a “lawless attempt” by members of the Senate of Kenya to force Lelelit Lati to appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee
The Council of Governors (CoG) has strongly condemned the forceful handling of Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit outside the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), describing it as a violation of his constitutional rights.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Parliament buildings in Nairobi, where senators attempted to apprehend Governor Lelelit for failing to appear before CPAC to respond to audit queries.
Witnesses reported that the situation escalated into a physical confrontation when senators tried to escort the governor, leading to a scuffle and heightened tensions between the parties involved.
CoG chair Ahmed Abdullahi described the senators’ conduct as “shocking and unacceptable,” emphasizing that the use of force against a sitting governor undermines the dignity of the office and democratic norms.
The council highlighted that Governor Lelelit’s human rights, including respect, personal safety, and peaceful engagement in public affairs, were violated during the altercation.
The confrontation followed repeated summonses by CPAC, which had been ignored by Governor Lelelit, prompting Senate leadership to escalate measures to ensure his appearance.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi had directed the enforcement of attendance, which led to the attempted physical escort and subsequent scuffle outside committee offices.
Governor Lelelit has stated his intention to pursue legal action against the senators involved, citing assault and intimidation, and has indicated he will not attend further proceedings until his security is guaranteed.
CoG has also called for accountability, urging the Senate to investigate the incident and ensure that the responsible senators face disciplinary measures for their actions.
The council warned that such forceful measures could strain intergovernmental relations and set a dangerous precedent for interactions between county executives and national legislators.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between some county governors and the Senate, with several executives accusing senators of harassment and undue pressure during oversight and audit proceedings.
CoG reiterated its commitment to defending the rights of governors, calling for dialogue and adherence to constitutional procedures in all oversight activities to prevent further confrontations.
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FELIX MAKONA
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