The escalating standoff between the Council of Governors and the Senate is a troubling sign that politics is once again overshadowing service delivery.
At its core, this is not about oversight. It is about ambition.
As 2027 approaches, a growing number of senators are eyeing gubernatorial seats. Governors, in turn, see Senate summons not as constitutional accountability but as political traps. Audit sessions have degenerated into shouting matches. Boycotts have replaced dialogue. Public hearings resemble campaign rallies.
Meanwhile, the ordinary Kenyan watches — and waits.
Counties are struggling with stalled projects, unpaid suppliers, youth unemployment and fragile health systems. Yet leaders appear more focused on positioning for the next election than solving today’s problems.
Yes, oversight is constitutional. Yes, governors must account for public funds. But when accountability forums are weaponised for political mileage, they lose moral authority. Equally, when governors boycott scrutiny instead of answering hard questions, they betray the very voters they claim to defend.
Devolution was meant to bring services closer to the people — not to create parallel centres of political warfare.
The constitution did not assign senators the role of aspiring governors-in-waiting. Nor did it give governors immunity from scrutiny because elections are near.
If public money has been misused, let the evidence speak. If oversight is abused, let institutional reforms address it. But turning audit queries into campaign ammunition — or dismissing every summons as harassment — only weakens public trust.
Kenyans did not vote for perpetual political theatre.
They voted for roads, water, hospitals, accountability and dignity.
The message to both sides is simple: stop fighting for seats. Start fighting for service delivery.
2027 can wait. The people cannot.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:“Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.” —American businessman (Chairman and CEO of IBM) Thomas J. Watson was born on February 17, 1874
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