The Council of Governors (CoG) has called for the immediate withdrawal of a warrant of arrest and any coercive action against Nairobi county chief Johnson Sakaja.
In a statement, CoG chairman Ahmed Abdullahi termed the move by police as “unwarranted and disproportionate".
Abdullahi raised concern over actions by the Office of the Inspector General of Police following Sakaja’s failure to appear before the Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).
“The Council of Governors notes with utmost concern the actions by the Office of the Inspector General of Police in what appears to be an unwarranted and disproportionate exercise of force,” he said.
He said the matter was not an individual issue concerning Sakaja but a collective decision taken by the council.
“This matter is not a personal issue concerning one governor but a collective decision made by the Council of Governors,” the statement said.
Abdullahi added that the decision followed concerns over the conduct of some members of the Senate committee.
“It is regrettable to single out a few governors for coercive action in a grave matter that remains unresolved between the committee and the council,” he stated.
According to the council, efforts to resolve the standoff through engagement with Senate leadership have not yielded a solution.
“The decision to pursue arrest of governors while allegations against committee members remain unaddressed defeats the intent of oversight, deepens mistrust and undermines the rule of law,” the statement said.
The council said 29 governors had been summoned by CPAC, but only two appeared and did not proceed with the session in line with the council’s position, pending resolution of key issues.
The governors are now calling for a halt to any enforcement measures.
“It is on this premise that we demand the immediate withdrawal of the warrant of arrest or coercive measures against governors pending an impartial determination of the matter,” the statement said.
Abdullahi also urged the police to verify the circumstances surrounding the matter.
“We urge the Office of the Inspector General of Police to establish the veracity of matters to avoid miscarriage of justice,” he added.
The chairman reiterated the bloc’s commitment to engagement and due process.
“We wish to affirm the council’s commitment to constructive engagement aimed at resolving the impending matter, accountability, transparency, rule of law and due process as espoused in the constitution,” he said.
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