Garissa Governor Nathif Jama’s request to postpone his appearance before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) was denied. Instead, the Committee issued a summons warning that noncompliance would result in legal penalties.
Governor Jama was scheduled to appear before the Committee on Thursday, January 29, 2026, to respond to queries raised by the Auditor-General in the audit reports of the Garissa County Executive for the 2024/25 financial year.
Nonetheless, the governor requested a postponement in a letter to the committee, citing scheduled travel abroad for reasons not specified in the letter.
When announcing the Committee’s decision, Senator Moses Kajwang, the chairperson of CPAC, stated, “We have reviewed the request by the Governor and we are of the strong view that the reasons given are not justifiable under the law.”
“Travelling out of the country is not a constitutional obligation and cannot override the requirements of accountability,” he added, noting that the tight timelines for the audit process leave no room for postponing appearances by governors.
Senator Kajwang further advised governors to put on hold any foreign travel plans until the end of March, when the consideration of the auditor-general’s reports on county financial accounts is expected to conclude, as required by law.
Senator Enock Wambua faulted the governor’s letter, saying it lacked critical details about the intended travel.
“The letter is vague. He says he is travelling, but to where and for what purpose? Is it an emergency?” Senator Wambua posed.
Senator Samson Cherarkey observed that governors had become the weakest link in the implementation of devolution, accusing them of reluctance to subject themselves to accountability.
In the past week, the committee has also issued summons to Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, and Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit, all of whom have defied calls to appear before the committee to respond to audit queries.
On Tuesday, January 27, the Committee revealed it was exploring legal mechanisms to compel governors to account for billions of shillings allocated to counties but which they have been reluctant to explain.
Among the options under consideration is engaging the National Treasury to halt the disbursement of funds to counties whose governors fail to submit themselves for accountability.
