A standoff has erupted between the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), deepening tensions over accountability and oversight of county finances.
The Council of Governors has resolved that all governors will cease appearing before the Senate CPAC, accusing the committee of harassment, intimidation, political witch-hunting and humiliation during accountability sessions. The resolution was reached during a CoG meeting held in Kilifi.
In their statement, the governors claimed that the current oversight approach by the Senate committee has created a hostile environment that undermines cooperation between county governments and national oversight institutions. They further alleged that some committee proceedings have been marred by extortion and unfair treatment of county chiefs.
However, CPAC Chairperson and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ has strongly pushed back against the move, terming the boycott unconstitutional and a direct challenge to public accountability.
“Accountability is not a favour to the Senate; it is a duty to the public,” Kajwang’ stated in a sharp rejoinder issued shortly after the CoG resolution.
He expressed “grave concern” over what he described as attempts by governors to dictate the terms under which they appear before the Senate. According to Kajwang’, the governors cannot choose who sits on oversight committees, when they should appear, or how they should be questioned.
“I have never seen a case where suspects demand to empanel the bench,” Kajwang’ remarked, adding that the Senate is acting within its constitutional mandate.
The CPAC chair linked the dispute to recent Auditor General reports and media exposés highlighting alleged mismanagement and theft of public resources in several counties. He insisted that the Senate is duty-bound under Articles 229 and 125 of the Constitution to examine audit reports and summon any person to provide evidence.
“Kenyans are not foolish; they have seen the plunder in counties and they can tell that governors are bullying the Senate to stop asking hard questions,” he said.
Kajwang’ urged governors who have evidence of extortion or harassment by senators to present it to relevant investigative institutions. He reaffirmed that the Senate will continue with its oversight role regardless of the boycott.
“We at the Senate will continue to do what we have been elected to do. We will inject without mercy where we find public resources have been pilfered,” he added.
The escalating confrontation now sets the stage for a potential constitutional showdown between county governments and the Senate, with accountability of public funds at the center of the dispute.
