Governors Threaten Legal Action Over Alleged Assault on Samburu Governor

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Governors have threatened legal action following an alleged assault on Samburu Governor Lelelit Lati, accusing senators of criminal conduct during an attempt to enforce his appearance before a Senate oversight committee.

The Council of Governors said the incident, which reportedly involved members of the Senate, undermines constitutional protections and risks escalating tensions between national and county governments at a time when cooperation remains critical for service delivery.

The confrontation follows growing disputes over Senate oversight, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other lawmakers accused of attempting to forcibly compel the governor to appear before the County Public Accounts Committee amid accountability proceedings.

In a statement, the Governors described the incident as a breach of constitutional order, warning that physical confrontation in oversight processes erodes trust and weakens institutional safeguards designed to ensure accountability and respect among state actors.

“This demonstration of hooliganism not only demeans the dignity of the public office of the Governor as a Head of Government, but strikes at the very heart of constitutionalism and the rule of law,” said CoG Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi.

The council further accused the Senate of abandoning lawful mechanisms available under the Constitution and its own standing orders, instead resorting to what it termed harassment, intimidation, and actions unbecoming of elected leaders entrusted with oversight responsibilities.

Governors also raised concerns about the broader implications for intergovernmental relations, cautioning that the use of force in resolving disputes signals a breakdown in dialogue and could set a precedent that destabilizes cooperative governance frameworks across counties.

They urged the Speaker of the Senate to take immediate disciplinary action against those involved, while calling for mechanisms to address grievances raised against members of the County Public Accounts Committee through lawful and structured processes.

Further, the council maintained that the alleged assault constitutes a criminal offence and confirmed that legal action would be pursued, emphasizing the need to uphold accountability while safeguarding the dignity and rights of public officials.

“The Council wishes to remind all state actors that leadership is bound by the tenets of accountability, restraint and adherence to human rights,” said Abdullahi, calling for urgent measures to restore institutional integrity.