Council of Governors Accuses Senators of Bullying and Extortion

Kenya’s governors have announced a boycott of sessions of the Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee, escalating a dispute over the committee’s oversight methods.

The decision was made on Monday during the Council of Governors’ annual retreat in Kilifi, held under the theme “Re-Positioning the Council for Effective Service Delivery in Light of the Political Environment.” The governors accused the Senate committee of harassment, intimidation, and extortion, arguing that its conduct has eroded the dignity and authority of county leaders.

Council of Governors chair Ahmed Abdullahi, who is also the Wajir governor, said some senators had turned oversight hearings into political platforms. He claimed that live-streamed sessions were being used to publicly embarrass governors and alleged that four senators had engaged in extortion. Abdullahi said the council was ready to submit evidence to support the claims.

Under the law, the County Public Accounts Committee is mandated to examine reports from the Auditor General and question governors on the use of public funds. However, governors now say they will appear before the committee only once per audit cycle, citing repeated summons as disruptive and unfair.

The standoff follows a series of tense hearings. Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka was questioned over a KSh3.6 million Christmas tree lighting expenditure from 2019, while Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki walked out of a session after a heated exchange. Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has also been threatened with penalties and travel restrictions for failing to honour summons.

The Senate has previously rejected claims of misconduct, maintaining that the committee is carrying out its constitutional role and accusing governors of seeking to avoid scrutiny. The Council of Governors, however, said it remains committed to accountability and prudent use of public resources, but called for oversight to be conducted lawfully and ethically. 

It also demanded the reconstitution of the committee and an independent investigation into the conduct of the senators named in the allegations. The retreat also addressed wider national issues, including the worsening drought affecting arid and semi-arid regions. Abdullahi urged the national government and development partners to step up interventions to prevent further loss of lives and livelihoods.