Governors gang up against Senate summons, cite harassment, extortion

During a governor's retreat on Monday, CoG chair Ahmed Abdullahi alleged there is "escalating extortion, political witch-hunt, harassment, intimidation and humiliation" of Governors by certain Senators when they appear before the committee.

"The Council of Governors notes with great concern the continuous and escalating extortion, political witch-hunt, harassment, intimidation and humiliation of Excellency governors by certain Senators when they appear before the Public Accounts Committee of the Senate," said Abdullahi.

"To this effect, the Council has resolved that governors will not appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee until these concerns are addressed through a structured engagement between the leadership of the Senate and the Council of Governors."

Likewise, CoG said that governors will honour summons by the Senate County Public Investment Committee once in every audit cycle.

Governors avail themselves before the committee to discuss investment issues, including various funds in the Counties, municipalities and Individual hospitals. 

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, the CoG Chief Whip, said the governors only have an issue with four Senators.

"We are very specific that CoG has no issue with the Senate; we have a problem with four Senators, and they know themselves," he said.

This comes after the Senate Public Investments Committee issued summons to Nandi, Laikipia, Lamu, Muranga and Tharaka Nithi governors on Monday after failing to appear to respond to audit queries.

The committee chairperson, Senator Godfrey Osotsi, expressed his disappointment after receiving letters of non-attendance by some governors just a few minutes before the start of the meeting, while other counties have not even responded to their letters of invitation.

Senator Eddy Oketch recommended summons and tough actions against governors who did not respond, and that they have constitutional timelines to write a report and submit to the House.

Meanwhile, Nandi Senator Samsom Cherargei has scoffed at the retreat, terming it unconstitutional and a waste of taxpayers’ money, which they would have used to tackle the drought crisis in Northern Kenya. 

He further claimed that the agenda in that retreat is to discuss the senate, a tactic they have adopted to avoid responding to audit queries facing their counties.

CoG has maintained that it will remain committed to accountability and the prudent use of public resources; however, cautioning that oversight must be exercised lawfully, ethically, and without abuse of office.

The retreat also addressed the worsening drought crisis in the Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) regions, calling on the Government and stakeholders to enhance efforts to mitigate and avert the loss of lives and livestock.