Earlier, Siaya Governor James Orengo avoided a similar fate by appearing before the Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).
-KPC
By Robert Nyasato
The Senate is ramping up its oversight role, signaling the end of what has long been seen as evasive tactics by some county governors.
In a major shift, senators are now issuing arrest warrants and pursuing contempt proceedings against county chiefs who ignore summons to appear before oversight committees.
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This is marking a tougher stance in enforcing accountability.
Nairobi’s Johnson Sakaja is the latest to feel the heat after a warrant of arrest was issued against him after he allegedly declined to honour Senate summons.
By the time we processed this story on Monday night, Sakaja had reportedly gone into hiding and police were looking for him.
A police officer told journalists in Nairobi that they were determined to arrest and present the governor before the Senate to answer senators’ querries.
“The move is grounded in law, and governors are constitutionally obligated to submit to parliamentary oversight and should not evade accountability,” the police officer said.
The developments come as the Senate intensifies scrutiny through key committees such as the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), chaired by Moses Kajwang’.
The committee plays a central role in examining audit queries and ensuring prudent use of public resources at the county level.
Earlier, Siaya’s James Orengo appeared before CPAC to address contempt charges after failing to honour earlier summons.
The governor, popularly known as the “Walking Constitution,” however declined to take oath or respond to audit queries, stating he would not proceed until a standoff between the Senate and the Council of Governors (CoG) is resolved.
The CoG has accused senators of humiliating county chiefs during committee sessions, even alleging instances of bribery demands—claims that have further strained relations between the two institutions.
Despite the tensions, the Senate appears determined to assert its constitutional mandate.
CPAC sittings are attended by critical oversight institutions including the Office of the Auditor-General, Controller of Budget, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, National Treasury and Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, underscoring the weight of the proceedings.
