Senators consider withholding funds from errant governors

A session of the Senate's County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) Chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang on January 26, 2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard] Senators are considering a motion to withhold funds from counties whose governors fail to appear before Senate oversight committees to answer audit queries. The move follows the failure by Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit to honour summons by the Senate County Public Accounts Committee. The proposed withholding of funds is among several tough measures under consideration, alongside professional sanctions, criminal investigations and possible arrests of governors who defy summons despite adverse audit opinions. Senators argue that county chiefs who continue to play cat-and-mouse games with watchdog committees must face serious consequences, including prosecution, particularly over audit reports detailing how funds disbursed by the National Treasury have been utilised. Since the introduction of devolution in the 2013/14 financial year to 2024/25, Isiolo County has received Sh50.5 billion, Mombasa Sh90.7 billion and Samburu Sh56.3 billion. Senators insist governors must account for the use of these funds. Committee chairperson and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang' accused Governor Guyo of routinely ignoring Senate invitations, despite the House having saved him from impeachment last year. Kajwang' said Guyo sent a letter on the morning of the scheduled meeting claiming he was attending a security meeting, a move the committee described as contemptuous. "It is serious contempt for a governor to write on the morning of a meeting citing functions that are not even within his mandate, but are assigned to the national government," said Kajwang'. He added that the committee would enforce Guyo's appearance and announced that the Inspector-General of Police would be summoned on Thursday to explain why the Samburu Governor has repeatedly failed to honour summons. Audit hearings Kajwang' further proposed that the Senate consider a resolution barring the Controller of Budget from releasing funds to counties whose governors ignore audit hearings. "There is a need to interrogate Article 225 of the Constitution and determine whether Parliament has authority to suspend funds, even temporarily, until accountability is upheld," he said, suggesting a 30-day suspension subject to parliamentary approval. Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo warned that the county was suffering in terms of service delivery, noting that Governor Guyo last appeared before the Senate Public Investment Committee in early 2025. She dismissed insecurity as a valid excuse, stating that governors do not sit on security committees. "I have spoken to the Regional Commissioner, the regional police commander and the County Commissioner. The Senate must protect Isiolo County from poor leadership," Dullo said. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei argued that persistent failure to appear before committees signals either secrecy or unwillingness to account for public funds. "If they cannot come here to account for resources, then we should deny them resources," he said.

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