Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has criticized several county governors for failing to appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee, warning that non-compliance with audit processes threatens transparency and accountability in public finance.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Wednesday, he confirmed that governors who ignored parliamentary summonses have been fined Sh500,000, with some, including the governors of Nairobi and Samburu, facing active arrest warrants.
“When you are given public resources, you must account to the last queen. There is no one above the law,” he said.
Cherargei explained that the audit reports from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) were tabled before the Senate on March 31, 2026, as required under Articles 2 to 9 of the Constitution.
“Only 17 counties appeared before the committee. Twenty-nine did not. By the principles of natural justice, those who failed to appear waived their right, and we followed the recommendations of the OAG,” he said, highlighting that the process was conducted under the Senate’s constitutional powers.
The senator also criticized governors for using county funds for personal and discretionary spending, rather than essential public services.
He cited examples of mismanagement, noting, “This is a boys club of people who are billionaires plundering counties… even when you go to Wajir, 1.5 billion is for employee payables. If statutory deductions like NSSF are not remitted, it means that money has been stolen.” Cherargei emphasized that such practices endanger the delivery of critical services, including healthcare and public infrastructure.
On procedural compliance, Cherargei clarified that attempts by some governors to lift arrest warrants through informal channels were improper.
“If you wanted the warrant of arrest lifted, you must appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee and explain why we should not proceed. The warrant against Governors Sakaja and the Governor of Samburu is still active,” he said.
The senator urged counties to strengthen revenue collection and accountability systems, stressing that public oversight is critical for economic stability.
“The counties’ financial mismanagement, including voiding of payments and diverting funds, is killing the economy,” he warned, calling on governors to comply with audit processes and uphold transparency.
Cherargei highlighted the constitutional obligation of leaders to account for public resources, stressing that accountability is not optional.
“We gave ourselves this Constitution. Chapter Six on leadership and integrity emphasizes transparency and accountability, and governors must comply or face the law,” he said.
The Council of Governors (CoG) on Tuesday called for the immediate withdrawal of arrest warrants issued against governors who failed to appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).
Speaking to the media, CoG Chair Ahmed Abdullahi said the warrants, including attempts to arrest Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson, were “unwarranted and disproportionate” and part of “continuous extortion, unnecessary harassment and intimidation” by some committee members.
Abdullahi stressed that 43 of 47 governors had signed a memo raising concerns about the conduct of CPAC, demanding that the Senate leadership “establish the veracity of matters to avoid miscarriage of justice.”
Vice Chair Muthomi Njuki added, “Their intentions are about flexing muscles, not meaningful oversight.”