Senators Warn Governors Against ‘Unconducive’ Oversight Standoff
News Updated: 10 February 2026 14:47 EAT
Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot
Senators have accused county governors of engaging in public mudslinging after the Council of Governors raised claims of extortion and harassment at select Senate oversight committees, terming the CoG’s move inappropriate and unconducive to accountability.
The standoff follows a resolution by governors to suspend appearances before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee, accusing some senators of extortion, intimidation and turning oversight sessions into hostile engagements.
The Council of Governors, led by chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, said the decision was reached after what they described as repeated mistreatment of governors during audit hearings based on the Auditor-General’s reports.
According to the CoG, the alleged conduct by some members of the committee has undermined the spirit of cooperative governance between the national and county governments as envisaged under the Constitution.
Governors have further complained that oversight sessions have increasingly become punitive, politicised and aimed at public humiliation rather than constructive accountability.
They also resolved to limit appearances before the Senate County Public Investment Committee to once per audit cycle, arguing that repeated summons over the same audit period are unnecessary and disruptive.
In response, senators have strongly dismissed the extortion claims, accusing governors of attempting to divert attention from serious audit queries and to weaken the Senate’s constitutional oversight role.
Senate leaders said the allegations were unsubstantiated and should be formally reported to investigative agencies rather than aired in public forums.
They warned that boycotting committee sittings sets a dangerous precedent and amounts to an attempt by governors to choose how and by whom they are held accountable.
The senators insisted that oversight of county finances is not optional, noting that the Senate derives its authority directly from the Constitution to scrutinise the use of public funds.
They further argued that public airing of accusations against committees without evidence damages institutional integrity and erodes public confidence in devolution.
Senators called on governors to honour summons and use established legal channels to address any grievances against individual lawmakers.
The unfolding dispute underscores growing tension between county executives and the national legislature, raising concerns about its potential impact on accountability, inter-governmental relations and the effective oversight of devolved funds.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD