The Council of Governors (CoG) has strongly defended Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja following an attempted police arrest over his failure to honour Senate summons, describing the move as intimidation and an abuse of oversight powers.
Speaking during a press briefing, CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi said the attempt to arrest Sakaja was unwarranted and failed to recognise that governors had collectively resolved to boycott appearances before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).
“This matter is not a personal issue concerning one governor but a collective decision made by the Council of Governors,” Abdullahi said.
The statement came after police officers attempted to arrest Sakaja at City Hall in Nairobi following repeated summons by the Senate committee to respond to audit queries regarding county finances for the 2024/25 financial year. Authorities maintained that the operation was lawful and aimed at enforcing accountability.
However, governors protested the move, arguing that the Senate had resorted to coercion instead of dialogue to resolve the ongoing dispute between the two institutions. The council insisted that the boycott was necessary until concerns about the conduct of certain committee members were addressed.
According to the Council of Governors, the dispute arose after allegations of extortion, harassment, and intimidation were raised against some members of the Senate committee. Governors are now demanding the reconstitution of the committee before they resume appearances.
“You cannot continue engaging people who engage you at a level that is not lawful, with impunity. It is impossible,” said CoG Vice Chairperson Muthomi Njuki.
The standoff escalated earlier this week when the Senate directed the Inspector General of Police to arrest Sakaja and other governors who failed to appear before the committee. The move sparked criticism from county leaders, who warned that using police force to compel attendance undermines the principle of cooperation between levels of government.
The Council further questioned the practicality of summoning a large number of governors to appear before the committee within a short period.
“Today alone, 29 governors were summoned before the County Public Accounts Committee. Only a few appeared, and they declined to engage substantively, in line with the Council’s position,” Abdullahi said.
Despite the tensions, Sakaja presented himself before Senate leadership, stating that his decision was meant to demonstrate respect for oversight institutions while maintaining solidarity with fellow governors.
The Council of Governors reiterated its commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of public resources but insisted that oversight must be conducted fairly and within the law.
Governors have now called for dialogue between the Senate and the Council of Governors to resolve the impasse and prevent further escalation. The outcome of the negotiations is expected to determine whether county leaders will resume appearances before the Senate committee in the coming weeks.
The standoff highlights growing tensions between county governments and the Senate over oversight powers, raising concerns about the future relationship between the two levels of government in ensuring accountability and service delivery to citizens.
– By Mark Simitia
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