A collage of Kitui Governor Julius Malombe and his Narok counterpart, Patrick Ntutu./DOUGLAS OKIDDY

Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu and his Kitui counterpart Julius Malombe on Tuesday defied a directive by the Council of Governors (CoG) to boycott Senate committees.

This is even as senators launched a fierce pushback against claims of harassment and political witch-hunts during oversight sessions.

Governor Ntutu appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) to respond to audit queries for the financial year ended June 30, 2025.

Read Also
Migori Youth hold Mombasa United to stay top of the NSL log Football
Tusker rally past Ulinzi to reach FKF Cup semifinals as Nairobi United bow out Football
Red hot Omanyala to orchestrate Kenya's 4x100m charge at World Relays today Athletics

Governor Malombe separately appeared before the Senate Public Investments and Special Funds Committee.

Their appearance came a day after the CoG announced it would suspend governors’ appearances before the Senate CPAC, accusing senators of intimidation, harassment, and political witch-hunt oversight hearings.

Enjoying this article? Subscribe for unlimited access to premium sports coverage.
View Plans

Kitui Governor Julius Malombe, appearing before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPIC) in the Senate, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi at Bunge Towers, on February 10, 2026./DOUGLAS OKIDDY

The decision by the two governors to honour Senate summons was welcomed by lawmakers, who accused the CoG of issuing an unconstitutional and illegal directive aimed at shielding governors from accountability.

Kitui Governor Julius Malombe, appearing before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPIC) in the Senate, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi at Bunge Towers, on February 10, 2026./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
CPAC chairman Moss Kajwang’ led a scathing attack on the governors’ lobby, saying the Senate would not be intimidated or drawn into what he termed as attempts to sanitise impunity in county governments.

“If you come here with embarrassing records, we will embarrass you. If you come with embarrassing responses, we will embarrass you. If your audit report is an embarrassment and indicative of theft, we will call it out,” Kajwang’ said.

Kitui Governor Julius Malombe takes an oath when he appeared before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPIC) in the Senate, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi at Bunge Towers, on February 10, 2026./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
However, he added that senators were ready to work cordially with organised county administrations. “If you are organised, then it becomes like a tennis game — we serve, and you return the service,” he said.

Kajwang’ said the Senate was concerned that the CoG was increasingly behaving like “a gossip club and a trade union defending impunity,” adding that Parliament would not avail itself to discuss unsubstantiated allegations.

Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, appearing before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) in the Senate, chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang at Bunge Towers, on February 10, 2026./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo thanked Governor Ntutu for honouring the summons, saying CPAC remained one of the Senate’s most critical oversight committees.

“This committee is central to the Senate’s oversight mandate. Any attempt to ruin its image must be firmly denounced,” Madzayo said, warning governors who fail to appear that refusal to account for public funds would not be tolerated.

Minority Whip Ledama Ole Kina said governors’ unity would not shield them from individual accountability, stressing that failure to honour parliamentary summons attracts personal liability.

“The law is very clear. When a witness is summoned and fails to appear, they will be held personally accountable. This is not collective responsibility,” Ole Kina said, terming the boycott call as an act of arrogance.

Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu takes an oath when he appeared before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) in the Senate, chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang at Bunge Towers, on February 10, 2026./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna described the CoG directive as unconstitutional and illegal, praising the two governors for distancing themselves from it.

“We are happy you did not follow that illegal directive. It was disappointing to see the governor of Wajir reading that statement purporting to suspend a constitutional process,” Sifuna said.

He accused some governors of appearing before committees unprepared and expecting senators to overlook glaring misuse of funds.

“Oversight means robustly following how public resources are used,” he said.

Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, appearing before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) in the Senate, chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang at Bunge Towers, on February 10, 2026./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Sifuna cited a past case where Bungoma County allegedly spent Sh4 million lighting a Christmas tree in September, saying such issues embarrassed governors more than Senate questioning.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said appearing before Senate committees was not a favour but a constitutional obligation.

“Just as we fight for counties to get funds, we must demand accountability. The problem governors face is of their own making,” Cherargei said.

Enoch Wambua, a CPAC member, described the CoG position as “illegal and immoral,” accusing the council of attempting to suspend the Constitution through a boardroom resolution.

“I am disturbed that the CoG could take such a position. It is unfortunate and shameful. You cannot suspend the Constitution by press conference,” Wambua said.