Governors to snub Senate over alleged humilation

Governors have now threatened to snub any appearances before a key Senate watchdog committee over alleged harassment.

Through the Council of Governors (CoG), the county bosses on Monday resolved to keep off the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) sessions until their concerns are addressed.

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“The Council of Governors notes with great concern the continuous and escalating political witch-hunt, harassment, intimidation, and humiliation of Excellency Governors by certain Senators when they appear before the CPAC committee,” CoG chairman Ahmed Abdullahi said.

However, in a quick rejoinder, Moses Otieno Kajwang’, Chairman, Senate Public Accounts Committee, noted the resolution made by the Council of Governors in Kilifi, dismissing their claims as false and diversionary.

"In their statement, they imply they will only appear before Senate oversight committees under their terms. They want to choose who sits in the committees, when they should appear, and how they should be questioned. I have never seen a case where suspects demand to empanel the bench," Kajwang said.

"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."

Kajwang further welcomed the governors to submit any evidence they may have of extortion and harassment to the relevant institutions.

"In the meantime, 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," Kajwang said.

Speaking during a two-day retreat in Kilifi themed “Re-Positioning the Council for Effective Service Delivery in Light of the Political Environment,” the governors insisted that their continued harassment by the committee must end.

“To this effect, the Council has resolved that governors will not appear before the CPAC committee until these concerns are addressed through a structured engagement between the leadership of the Senate and CoG,” Abdullahi declared.

Although he did not disclose the names of those they are accusing, the CoG boss said they are ready to present evidence, including names of those involved in the alleged extortion ring, should need be.

The governors singled out four unnamed senators allegedly notorious for extorting county officials during appearances and now are demanding that the CPAC be reconstituted alongside an independent probe of the conduct of the four.

Abdullahi, who is also the Wajir governor, accused the Senate of summoning county bosses regularly, insisting that attendance will only now be once per an audit cycle.

“We note with concern that governors are required to appear several times before this committee to discuss investment issues, including various funds in the counties, municipalities, and individual hospitals. In this regard, governors have therefore resolved that they will only appear once for every audit cycle.”

This is not the first time county bosses have accused the Senate of extortion, but senators have often shot back, accusing them of trying to evade accountability.

On Monday, the county chiefs cited instances where some senators have stationed cameras in committee rooms to live-stream sessions and push a different narrative as part of a circus to harass them in public.

“The Council reaffirms its unwavering commitment to accountability and prudent use of public resources but emphasizes oversight must be exercised lawfully, ethically, and without abuse of office.”

On the drought in the country, the CoG called for more aid as the situation continues to worsen, with the most affected areas being the ASAL counties.

"We call upon the Government, Development Partners, and all other stakeholders to enhance efforts to mitigate to avert the loss of lives, livestock, and the overall impact of the drought," Abdullahi said.