Tensions between the Senate and county governors have intensified after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi postponed a planned mediation meeting, citing governors’ repeated failure to attend essential committee sessions.
The postponement threatens to slow the review of Auditor General reports that must be completed before the constitutional deadline at the end of March.
In a letter dated February 25, 2026, addressed to Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, Kingi said the meeting scheduled for February 26 would be put on hold indefinitely because most governors had ignored invitations from the County Public Accounts Committee and the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee. He said attending the committees was a necessary step before any structured dialogue could take place.
Kingi argued that skipping the sessions undermines Parliament’s oversight responsibilities under Article 96 and violates Article 125, which empowers Parliament to summon witnesses.
He warned that continued delays could jeopardize the timely completion of reports by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, which cover financial statements for all counties and must be finalised by March 31 under Article 229(4).
“In the circumstances, the condition stipulated in the earlier letter having remained unfulfilled, the meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026, is hereby deferred until such time as the Governors shall appear before the respective Committees when invited or summoned,” Kingi stated.
The dispute stems from governors’ refusal to appear before the County Public Accounts Committee, accusing four unnamed senators of harassment, intimidation, and extortion.
Last month in Kilifi, Ahmed said governors would not attend sessions chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang until their complaints were addressed through formal discussions.
“The Council of Governors notes with great concern the continuous and escalating extortion, political witch-hunt, harassment, intimidation and humiliation of governors by certain senators,” Ahmed said.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki clarified that their protest is not against the Senate as an institution but focuses on the conduct of specific senators.
“We have no issue with the Senate or its committees. Our problem is with four senators in CPAC. They know themselves. These four are involved in extortion, harassment and intimidation of governors,” he explained.
Ahmed also raised concerns about repetitive and excessive summonses from the County Public Investments Committee.
“Governors are required to appear several times to discuss one hospital, then another investment. This is not sustainable,” he said.
He further criticized procedural flaws, including the use of bloggers instead of official channels and the pressure placed on auditors.
“At times, auditors are so intimidated that they end up saying things that are contrary to what is contained in the Auditor General’s report. We cannot continue like this,” Ahmed said.
Ahmed warned that governors could pursue legal clarification on the Senate’s oversight powers if necessary.
“If we must go back to court to interpret what oversight is and what appearances should entail, we are ready to do so,” he said, insisting that governors remain committed to accountability.
“This is not about avoiding oversight. It is about ensuring that oversight is conducted in a professional, respectful and constitutional manner.”
The County Public Accounts Committee is examining Auditor General reports on county financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2025, as well as County Revenue Fund reports for all 47 counties. Hearings are ongoing from January 26 to March 16, 2026, with courts mandating completion by March 31.
In response to the governors’ allegations, Kingi had invited them to a structured engagement at 10:00 am on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Mini Chamber, County Hall, Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, noting that all dialogue must comply with the Constitution.
Regarding calls for the removal of four senators from oversight committees, Kingi said only the Senate has the authority to appoint or remove committee members.
“The power to appoint members of the committees and to remove them from the service of these committees is exclusively a power of the Senate, and the Council of Governors’ demand that certain Senators be removed from the service of any of these committees is without constitutional anchor,” he said.
Kingi reiterated that any governor summoned to appear must do so or face consequences under the law.
“Any governor invited or summoned to appear before any committee must do so, failing which the consequences provided for in the Constitution and the law shall follow,” he said.
