Governors Vow To Snub Senate CPAC Over Extortion Claims

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Governors have vowed to snub summons by the Senate County Public Accounts Committee over allegations of extortion, intimidation and humiliation during audit hearings, setting up a fresh standoff with the Senate.

The decision was reached during an ongoing governors’ retreat convened by the Council of Governors, where county leaders reviewed devolution, service delivery and relations with national institutions.

Today, at a Govenors’ retreat in Kilifi County, the council accused some senators of abusing oversight powers, saying accountability forums had degenerated into hostile interrogations targeting elected county leaders.

“The Council notes with great concern the continuous and escalating extortion, political witch-hunt, harassment, intimidation and humiliation of governors,” the statement said.

As a result, governors resolved they would not appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee until their grievances are addressed through structured engagement with Senate leadership.

“To this effect, governors will not appear before the CPAC committee until these concerns are addressed through structured engagement,” the council said.

Governors maintained the boycott does not amount to resistance to scrutiny, insisting they support oversight that is lawful, ethical and respectful of constitutional offices.

“Accountability must be exercised professionally and without intimidation, if intergovernmental relations are to remain stable,” the council said.

The standoff comes amid mounting complaints over aggressive questioning during audit hearings, with several high-profile sessions cited as examples of alleged excesses.

Earlier this month, Bungoma County faced sharp scrutiny after auditors flagged Sh3.6 million spent on a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in September 2019.

During the hearing, CPAC chairperson Moses Kajwang’ and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna questioned how the expenditure was incurred months before December.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka told the committee the expenditure predated his tenure, saying he was being held to account for decisions made before he assumed office.

In another incident, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki reportedly walked out of a hearing, prompting threats of enforcement action from senators.

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has also publicly complained of threats of penalties and travel restrictions over delayed appearances before Senate committees.

Beyond CPAC, governors raised concerns over repeated summons by the Senate County Public Investment Committee within a single audit cycle.

They said frequent appearances disrupt service delivery, with governors summoned multiple times to address similar issues involving county investments, municipalities and health facilities.

“We note with concern that governors are required to appear several times to discuss the same investment issues,” the council said.

To streamline engagements, governors resolved they would henceforth appear only once per audit cycle before the investment committee.

“In this regard, governors have resolved that they will only appear once for every audit cycle,” the statement said.

The council linked the dispute to broader concerns previously raised about corruption allegations within oversight processes.

Last year, President William Ruto alleged some Senate proceedings had turned into a “marketplace,” claiming governors faced demands for bribes during audit and impeachment hearings.

“I am a consumer of raw intelligence every day. In the Senate, when a governor appears for grilling, the chambers are nicknamed soko huru,” Ruto said at a political meeting in August 2025.

Despite the boycott threat, governors reaffirmed commitment to transparency and prudent use of public funds, saying their stand was meant to protect devolution rather than weaken oversight.