A major standoff is looming between county governments and the Senate after the Council of Governors (CoG) formally named four senators it accuses of extortion, intimidation and political witch-hunts during oversight proceedings.
In a resolution dated February 11, 2026, and addressed to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, forty-one governors announced they would immediately suspend appearances before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) until their grievances are addressed.
“Governors shall with immediate effect not appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) until the concerns raised herein are adequately and conclusively addressed,” the resolution states.
The document, signed by CoG Chairperson and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, cites what it describes as “persistent reports and experiences of extortion, political witch-hunt, intimidation, and harassment of Governors during appearances” before the committee.
The council specifically named Senators Moses Kajwang’, Edwin Sifuna, Samson Cherargei and Johnes Mwaruma, alleging they have been “consistently cited as being notorious in these practices.”
As a condition for resuming appearances, the governors are demanding the removal of the four senators from the affected committees.
“The Council demands 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 reads.
Despite the strong accusations, the governors maintain that their decision is not an attempt to evade scrutiny. The council reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to accountability and prudent use of public resources,” but emphasized that oversight “must be exercised lawfully, ethically, and without abuse of office.”
The governors anchored their position on Articles 6(2), 174 and 189 of the Constitution, which outline principles of cooperation and mutual respect between national and county governments. At the same time, they acknowledged the Senate’s oversight authority under Article 96 and a 2022 Supreme Court ruling affirming the Senate’s power to summon governors.
“Fully aware that on 7th October, 2022, the Supreme Court declared that the Senate has powers to summon County Governors…,” the statement notes, adding that the current process “falls short of the constitutional dictates.”
In response, Senate Public Accounts Committee Chair Moses Kajwang’ dismissed the governors’ move, insisting that oversight is a constitutional obligation.
“Accountability is not a favor to the Senate; it is a duty to the public,” Kajwang’ said, urging governors to submit any evidence of extortion to investigative agencies.
As both sides dig in, the dispute now threatens to escalate into a broader institutional confrontation over the boundaries of oversight and the balance of power between the Senate and county governments.
