By KPC Reporter
A fresh standoff between the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Senate has erupted following an alleged confrontation at Parliament involving Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit.
Unfortunately, this is further straining relations over oversight and accountability.
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CoG Chair Ahmed Abdullahi on Wednesday condemned senators over what he termed as harassment, intimidation, and assault of the governor.
According to Abdullahi, the incident occurred when a group of senators allegedly attempted to forcibly drag Governor Lelelit to appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee to respond to audit queries.
“This was not just an act of misconduct, but a blatant disregard for due process and the rule of law,” Abdullahi said, calling for restraint and respect in engagements between county governments and oversight bodies.
The incident, which has sparked outrage among governors, underscores the simmering tensions between the two levels of government.
The Senate, constitutionally mandated to oversee county expenditure, has in recent months intensified summonses and audits targeting governors, a move county chiefs argue is increasingly punitive and politically driven.
Kisii Press Club’s earlier stories indicated that the dispute reflects a broader institutional rivalry, with governors accusing senators of overreach, while senators maintain they are executing their constitutional mandate to ensure accountability in the use of public funds.
Abdullahi emphasized that while governors are not opposed to oversight, the manner in which it is conducted must adhere to legal frameworks.
“We remain committed to cooperating with oversight institutions, but such engagements must be lawful, structured, and respectful,” he said.
He further called on relevant authorities to launch investigations into the alleged incident, adding that the Council of Governors is considering legal action to address what it views as a violation of constitutional boundaries.
On their part, senators have previously defended their actions, insisting that governors must be held accountable for audit queries raised by the Auditor-General, and that appearing before Senate committees is not optional.
The escalating confrontation now threatens to deepen mistrust between the Senate and county governments, potentially undermining effective service delivery at the grassroots level.
