The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The standoff between the Senate and the Council of Governors (CoG) escalated on Thursday after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi rejected governors’ plans to boycott committee sittings, terming the move unacceptable.
As some Senators faced accusations of extortion and intimidation from governors, they pushed back strongly, calling on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to take action against county chiefs who have ignored summons.
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The IG appeared before the committee to outline the steps that could be taken against governors who fail to attend, especially after 40 of them resolved to skip the sessions altogether.
Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) Chair Moses Kajwang said governors who decline to appear before Parliament risk arrest if summoned. IG Kanja affirmed that the police service stands ready to enforce such directives where necessary.
Kajwang, alongside Senators Samson Cherargei, Edwin Sifuna, and Johnes Mwaruma, dismissed claims that they had sought bribes or harassed governors during oversight meetings, maintaining that accountability must be upheld.
In a pointed remark, Kajwang likened corrupt officials to “little foxes that ruin vineyards,” alleging that such individuals operate within counties and state offices. Cherargei also criticized governors who attempt to evade scrutiny, citing an instance where Governor Muthomi Njuki reportedly left a session prematurely.
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Addressing the House, Speaker Kingi confirmed receiving a protest letter from the CoG but declared their proposal to limit appearances to once per audit cycle unconstitutional. He emphasized that the Senate’s oversight authority can be exercised whenever deemed necessary and cannot be restricted.
Although Kingi agreed to meet with the governors later this month, he insisted that any governor summoned by a Senate committee must attend without exception, warning that failure to comply would attract legal consequences.
