The Council of Governors (CoG) has resolved to suspend appearances before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) with immediate effect, citing unresolved concerns over the conduct and structure of the oversight process.
In a formal resolution, the governors announced that they would not appear before the committee “until the concerns raised herein are adequately and conclusively addressed.”
The move signals a deepening standoff between county chiefs and the Senate over the manner in which financial oversight of devolved units is being conducted.
Under the resolution, the Council declared a “Suspension of Appearances,” stating that governors shall with immediate effect not appear before CPAC pending the resolution of the issues they have raised.
The CoG further demanded the reconstitution of affected Senate committees as a prerequisite for restoring confidence in the oversight process.
Specifically, the governors called for “the removal of the four (4) named Senators from the affected committees as a prerequisite to restoring confidence, integrity, and fairness in the oversight process.”
The resolution also calls for urgent structured engagement between the leadership of the Senate and the Council of Governors to address the impasse.
According to the document, a structured engagement forum should be convened between the two institutions to agree on “clear, transparent, and respectful modalities for appearances by Governors.”
The governors also want safeguards put in place to protect county leaders from what they describe as harassment, extortion, and political persecution.
Despite the hardline stance, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and prudent management of public resources.
“The Council of Governors reaffirms its unwavering commitment to accountability and prudent use of public resources,” the resolution states, adding that oversight must be exercised “lawfully, ethically, and without abuse of office.”
The governors maintain that while they remain subject to constitutional oversight, the process must uphold fairness and integrity.
The resolution sets the stage for further negotiations between the Senate and county governments as both sides seek to navigate the delicate balance between accountability and the autonomy of devolved units under Kenya’s constitutional framework.
