The Senate Public Accounts Committee has urged governors to continue appearing before audit hearings, rejecting a directive from the Council of Governors asking them to boycott the sessions and insisting that scrutiny of public spending must continue despite rising institutional tensions.
Committee chairperson Moses Kajwang said senators are exercising their constitutional oversight mandate and warned county leaders against ignoring summons linked to audit queries. “I urge governors not to be swayed by a handful of colleagues. Devolution exists to improve people’s lives, and accountability is central to that,” he said on Sunday.
The standoff began after the Council of Governors advised county chiefs to stay away from Senate hearings following claims that some governors had been exposed over alleged misuse of public funds. The council further accused senators of demanding bribes, allegations that have deepened mistrust between the two institutions.
In response, governors suspended their participation in the hearings, describing their withdrawal as a protest against what they termed extortion. However, the Senate committee has dismissed the claims, maintaining that the audit process is legal and necessary for proper governance.
Kajwang said the hearings are not intended to punish governors but to interrogate how public resources are used and to help counties improve financial management. He added that many of the audit concerns are systemic and can be addressed through cooperation between the two levels of government.
Speaking at a church service in Homa Bay Town East Ward, the senator said devolution is still struggling to achieve its full promise due to weak financial discipline in some counties. He criticised governors who fail to honour summons and said some of those who appear before the committee do not give clear explanations on spending.
“Some submissions resemble theatre rather than transparency. Many counties are struggling economically due to misapplication of public funds,”he said.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga is among those who have missed the hearings twice. Kajwang, however, maintained that the process is not punitive and is aimed at improving governance.
“No report has accused anyone of theft. The challenges include rising wage bills, procurement irregularities and flawed tendering — issues we can resolve collectively,” he said, adding that county governments must focus on creating jobs to reduce youth unemployment. He warned that lack of opportunities is fueling crime and political violence.