A standoff has erupted between senators sitting in the Senate County Public Accounts Committee and the Council of Governors after the governors accused the committee of extortion and harassment during audit sessions.
The lawmakers, led by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ on Tuesday rejected the claims outright, saying the accusations were meant to distract from their constitutional duty to scrutinise how county funds are used.
Members of the Kajwang’-led committee dismissed the allegations as mudslinging and challenged governors to table proof to back the claims.
They maintained that appearing before the committee is not optional and that oversight is a responsibility owed to citizens across the 47 counties.
“This is not a favour to us, it’s a duty to the people that we represent. We shall put up a strong fight for our Counties to receive the Sh450 billion, and it is the same zeal and vigour we shall put into oversight and auditing our counties,” Kajwang said.
Kitui Senator Enock Wambua condemned any move by governors to withdraw from the process, terming it unconstitutional.
He warned that the Senate would proceed with its work regardless of the pressure.
“Suspension of the constitution, the COG, this is the biggest affront to the constitution since 2010. The Senate, we shall not be bowed, shall soldier on, and the deadline shall be honoured, and we shall adhere to the constitution,” Wambu added.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna expressed frustration with the position taken by the governors, faulting senior political figures for supporting the stance.
“The most disappointing to me is the one who was reading that statement, a very senior member of my party, the party which fought for devolution under Baba.”
Sifuna said some county leaders had already admitted to questionable spending during appearances before the committee, pointing to cases he said were recorded under oath.
“Like in Embu, the Governor admitted herself under oath, that she took Sh10 million from accounts to sponsor a bodaboda event she admitted and it’s an illegality, Bungoma County brought us court papers saying that they used Sh.4 million to light a Xmas tree in September, Vihiga told us there was a bash for the speaker’s residence using Sh5 million,” Sifuna stated.
He questioned why governors would avoid scrutiny if they had complied with financial rules.
“When we hear statements from the Council of Governors saying they will not appear because we embarrass them, they come here not prepared, and they run away from the documents they submitted.”
“Another one, Muthomi of Tharaka Nithi, when he realised the documents he presented, he ran away saying he didn’t carry his glasses, and that is the same person shouting and has the audacity to say this committee should be disbanded. This committee is not an appendage of the Council of Governors.”
Nandi Senator Samson Cheralgei insisted the committee would not be intimidated, saying governors must face questions over their financial records.
“This committee is not an extension of COG. Governors may run away, but we shall catch them. The problem of Governors is his own making,” he added.
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina warned that the committee would continue to point out any inconsistencies in documents presented before it.
“If your documents are an embarrassment, you will be told. This committee holds the truth like a loaded gun ready to shoot at any given time.”
Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, who also serves as the Senate Minority Leader, defended the committee as central to accountability in counties.
“This CPAC holds hope for this Senate, and anything pointed at it to pull it down, we shall stand firm and reject any negativity towards it.”
He added, “ It’s so wrong to decline to appear before this Committee, and we continue saying that we have a great hope for this Senate committee because it audits the 47 counties. If there is corruption detected in the counties, this CPAC has powers to interrogate.”
Kajwang’ maintained that the Senate remains open to cooperation with county leaders but warned that poor records would be exposed during the audit process.
“If you come here with embarrassing records, we will embarrass you; if you come here with embarrassing records, we shall embarrass you. The Senate is ready to work and improve relationships with the counties. The council of Govonors have turned to gossip clubs.”
