Audio By Vocalize
Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang has issued a stern warning to governors across the country, declaring that the Senate will not hesitate to enforce its constitutional authority against those who defy its summons.
Speaking during the “Rais Mtaani” consultative forum in Seum, Chesang declared that the Senate would not retreat from its constitutional oversight role, even as tensions rise with the Council of Governors (CoG).
“The Senate will continue to execute its constitutional mandate without fear or favour.
Any governor who ignores Senate summons must be prepared to face the full force of the law, including arrest in collaboration with the Inspector General of Police.” Chesang’ said.
His remarks come at a time when governors, under the umbrella of the Council of Governors led by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, have announced a boycott of the Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).
The governors accuse the committee of sustained intimidation, harassment, and what they describe as extortion disguised as oversight.
The fallout intensified after CPAC, chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, published a “list of shame” naming more than 20 governors, including Nairobi’s Johnson Sakaja and Samburu’s Lati Lelelit, for failing to appear before the committee to respond to audit queries for the 2024/2025 financial year.
CoG has strongly condemned what it termed as heavy-handed tactics by senators, citing an alleged assault on Governor Lelelit as a “shocking act of hooliganism” that undermines the dignity of elected leaders.
The council is now demanding the reconstitution of CPAC, accusing some members of misconduct.
Despite the boycott, governors insist they are not opposed to accountability.
“We are ready to appear before other Senate committees but not CPAC until our concerns are addressed.”
The CoG said in a statement. However, Kajwang has dismissed the claims, maintaining that the committee will not be derailed.
“Accountability is non-negotiable,” Kajwang said, warning that CPAC will continue issuing summons, warrants of arrest, fines, and surcharges against those who fail to comply.
Chesang echoed this hardline stance, insisting the Senate’s role is to safeguard public resources and uphold devolution.
“We are not targeting individuals; we are defending the Constitution. Public funds must be accounted for,” he said, warning that impunity among county chiefs would no longer be tolerated.
Support Independent Journalism
Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.
Continue
→
Pay via
Secure Payment
Kenya’s most trusted newsroom since 1902
Follow The Standard
channel on WhatsApp
Trans Nzoia
Senator
Allan Chesang has issued a stern
warning
to
governors
across the country, declaring that the
Senate
will not hesitate to enforce its constitutional authority against those who defy its summons.
Speaking during the “Rais Mtaani” consultative forum in Seum, Chesang declared that the
Senate
would not retreat from its constitutional oversight role, even as tensions rise with the Council of
Governors
(
CoG
).
“The
Senate
will continue to execute its constitutional mandate without fear or favour.
Any
governor
who ignores
Senate
summons must be prepared to face the full force of the law, including arrest in collaboration with the Inspector General of Police.” Chesang’ said.
His remarks come at a time when
governors
, under the umbrella of the Council of
Governors
led by Wajir
Governor
Ahmed Abdullahi, have announced a boycott of the
Senate’s
County Public
Accounts
Committee (CPAC).
The
governors
accuse the committee of
sustained intimidation, harassment,
and what they describe as extortion disguised as oversight.
The fallout intensified after CPAC, chaired by Homa Bay
Senator
Moses Kajwang’, published a “list of shame” naming more than 20
governors
, including Nairobi’s Johnson Sakaja and Samburu’s Lati Lelelit, for failing to appear before the committee to respond to audit queries for the 2024/2025 financial year.
CoG
has strongly condemned what it termed as heavy-handed tactics by
senators
, citing an alleged assault on
Governor
Lelelit as a “shocking act of hooliganism” that undermines the dignity of elected leaders.
The council is now
demanding
the reconstitution of CPAC, accusing some members of misconduct.
Despite the boycott,
governors
insist they are not opposed to
accountability
.
“We are ready to appear before other
Senate
committees but not CPAC until our concerns are addressed.”
The
CoG
said in a statement. However, Kajwang has dismissed the claims, maintaining that the committee will not be derailed.
“
Accountability
is non-negotiable,” Kajwang said,
warning
that CPAC will continue issuing summons, warrants of arrest, fines, and surcharges against those who fail to comply.
Chesang echoed this hardline stance, insisting the
Senate’s
role is to safeguard public resources and uphold devolution.
“We are not targeting individuals; we are defending the Constitution. Public funds must be
accounted
for,” he said,
warning
that impunity among county chiefs would no longer be tolerated.
Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter
Follow The Standard
channel on WhatsApp
By Martin Ndiema