Wetang’ula to governors: Face Parliament or face consequences

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National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has raised concerns over what he described as continued failure by governors to honour summons issued by parliamentary committees, saying defiance risked criminal sanctions.

Speaking during a youth empowerment programme in Mabera, Kuria West Constituency, Wetang’ula said Parliament would not tolerate a growing trend where governors ignore invitations by Senate committees tasked with scrutinising public funds management oversight processes.

He noted that such conduct undermines constitutional oversight and weakens public trust in devolved governance.

He pointed out that governors are required to appear before Parliament, particularly when called upon to respond to queries arising from Auditor-General reports, which have repeatedly flagged financial irregularities in the management of billions of shillings allocated to counties.

“As Parliament, we will not compromise on oversight. For whom much is given, much more is expected. You cannot take billions of taxpayers’ money, and when you are asked what work it has done, you start making noise and refusing to appear before Parliament to account to the public,” Wetang’ula said.

He added that all 47 governors must respect parliamentary summons and account for public resources entrusted to them, warning that continued defiance would not be taken lightly.

“I want to sound a very strong warning to all the 47 governors: you must appear before Parliament and explain how you have spent public funds,” he stated.

Wetang’ula further indicated that Parliament is considering the introduction of criminal sanctions targeting public officials who deliberately evade accountability processes.

He said such measures are necessary to reinforce the rule of law and ensure that oversight institutions are not undermined.

“Governors are not owners of public funds; they are trustees and custodians of the public good. When they err, they must come to Parliament and answer questions,” the Speaker said.

His remarks come amid rising tensions between the Senate County Public Accounts Committee and the Council of Governors, with the committee reportedly flagging several governors for failing to appear before it to respond to audit queries.

The Council of Governors has, however, accused the committee of harassment and extortion, vowing to resist what it terms unfair treatment.

Wetang’ula insisted that accountability is not optional, warning that defiance of parliamentary committees could no longer be treated as a political disagreement but as a potential legal breach.

Beyond accountability issues, the Speaker also addressed economic concerns, praising Parliament for what he described as fast-tracking amendments to the Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel.

He said the move, which halved VAT on petroleum products, would help ease the burden of high living costs affecting households and businesses across the country.

He further called for national unity, urging leaders and citizens to reject ethnic divisions and focus on building a cohesive nation. Drawing reference to Kenya’s political history, he highlighted the role of opposition politics in shaping democratic reforms.

Wetang’ula also urged young people to use empowerment funds responsibly, advising them to invest in productive ventures rather than misuse loans meant to improve livelihoods.

The event was attended by several leaders, including Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, Suna West MP Peter Masara, Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohamed, Kuria West MP Mathias Robi, Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, among others.