By Ongaga Ongaga
The Council of Governors (CoG) has condemned what it describes as a “lawless attempt” by members of the Senate to force governors to appear before the County Public Accounts Committee.
This follows an alleged assault on Samburu Governor Lelit Lati.
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In a statement signed by CoG chairman Ahmed Abdullahi, the council termed the incident “shocking and unacceptable,” accusing senators of undermining constitutional order and the dignity of county leadership.
“The Council of Governors unequivocally condemns the shocking and unacceptable assault on H.E. Lelit Lati… This demonstration of hooliganism not only demeans the dignity of the public office of the Governor, but strikes at the very heart of constitutionalism and the rule of law,” the statement reads.
The council further argued that the Senate, while constitutionally mandated to oversee county governments, must operate within the law and established procedures.
“It is disheartening that this very House has resorted to witch-hunting, harassment, violence and intimidation,” Abdullahi said, adding that such conduct “does not befit the office of a Senator.”
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between county governments and the Senate over accountability processes, particularly appearances before oversight committees such as the County Public Accounts Committee.
Several governors have in recent months pushed back against what they term as coercive summons and politicized oversight.
The council warned that the alleged violence signals a worrying breakdown in intergovernmental relations.
“Resorting to physical aggression reflects a dangerous erosion of democratic norms and a betrayal of the Kenyan people’s trust,” the statement added.
The governors are now demanding swift action from Senate leadership.
“We strongly urge the Speaker of the Senate to condemn the Senators involved… and expedite mechanisms for speedy resolution of the concerns raised,” Abdullahi said.
They also indicated that legal action could follow, stating that “the violent conduct… constitutes a criminal offence for which legal action will be proffered.”
The standoff adds to ongoing debates about the limits of Senate oversight and the need to balance accountability with respect for devolved units under Kenya’s Constitution.
Such confrontations, if not addressed, risk straining the relationship between the two levels of government further and undermining service delivery at the county level.
The governors called for restraint and adherence to the rule of law, urging all state actors to “uphold justice, safeguard constitutional order and restore integrity within our institutions.”
