The Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) has moved to summon Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki after he unexpectedly left Parliament moments before facing Senators over questions on public spending, an act lawmakers described as contemptuous and an attempt to avoid scrutiny.
Governor Njuki was set to appear before CPAC on Tuesday to answer queries regarding the management of county funds during the 2024/25 financial year. However, as the hearing was about to start, he disappeared from the Parliamentary precincts under unclear circumstances.
Efforts by parliamentary orderlies to locate him, including his aides, failed. Officials confirmed the Governor vanished from the designated holding area without informing the Committee.
Inside the hearing room, Senators expressed anger over what they called an unprecedented and reckless move by a public officer entrusted with billions in public money.
CPAC Chairperson Senator Moses Kajwang’ said the Committee would exercise its constitutional powers to compel Governor Njuki to appear.
“We shall summon him. Parliament cannot be treated with such disdain,” Senator Kajwang’ said, noting that the Committee had gathered and was ready to proceed before discovering the Governor had walked out.
The Committee stated that Governor Njuki’s actions violated Article 125 of the Constitution, which gives Parliament powers similar to the High Court, including the authority to summon witnesses and demand evidence.
Senator Kajwang’ warned that the Governor could face criminal charges under the Powers and Privileges Act, which protects Parliament’s authority.
“Walking away from a parliamentary committee is not a trivial matter. It is a criminal offence. If necessary, we will ask the Director of Public Prosecutions to institute criminal proceedings,” he said.
Senator Samson Cherarkey accused the Governor of deliberately avoiding accountability.
“The guilty fear accountability. That is why he ran,” Senator Cherarkey said, adding that Governor Njuki has previously resisted appearances before CPAC.
Lawmakers highlighted serious concerns in the Auditor-General’s report, particularly the worsening state of health facilities in Tharaka Nithi County. Senators pointed out the issue was alarming since Governor Njuki chairs the Health Committee at the Council of Governors.
Senator Enock Wambua accused the county government of deliberately failing to operationalize the Facilities Improvement Fund, a legally required mechanism that allows health facilities to manage and use their own revenues for maintenance, equipment, and infrastructure improvements.
The Auditor-General’s report noted that by not setting up the fund, revenues collected by health facilities were instead swept into the County Revenue Fund. This move stripped hospitals of financial control and exposed funds to potential misuse for other purposes.
Senator Wambua added that the county nullified transactions worth Sh400 million during the financial year, a matter that needed urgent clarification from the Governor.
“This Committee was the right forum for those answers. The Governor chose to run instead,” he said.
CPAC plans to formally issue a summons specifying when Governor Njuki must appear before the Committee. Senators indicated that criminal sanctions would be pursued if he continues to ignore parliamentary directives.
