By Andrew Kariuki
The Council of Governors (CoG) has criticised the attemted arrest of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, terming it unwarranted and raising concerns over what it described as escalating intimidation by a Senate committee.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday at the CoG offices in Westlands, CoG Chair Ahmed Abdullahi faulted the National Police Service (NPS) over the circumstances surrounding the arrest and accused a section of senators of overstepping their oversight mandate.
Abdullahi alleged that the actions of four members of a Senate committee amount to intimidation and attempts to extort money from governors, claiming that similar conduct has affected several county leaders.
The council also opposed the summoning of 29 governors by the Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), describing the move as impractical and politically driven. It called for the immediate withdrawal of arrest warrants issued against the governors.
“This is a very grave matter. The Senate committee is harassing and intimidating governors,” Abdullahi said.
While acknowledging the Senate’s constitutional oversight role, Abdullahi questioned how some committee members were exercising their authority, warning that such powers should not be used in a manner that undermines other institutions.
“We are not here to kill each other’s institutions. We are reminded that the Senate has powers akin to those of a High Court judge when issuing summons, but the conduct of some members raises serious concerns,” he added.
He further addressed Inspector General of Police Japhet Kanja, stating that there was no formal arrest warrant issued, but rather a letter from the Senate clerk, which he argued should not have triggered police action.
Abdullahi described the standoff between the Senate and county governors as political, calling for dialogue to resolve the impasse.
The CoG indicated it would formally challenge the conduct of the specific Senate committee while maintaining that governors remain willing to appear before other parliamentary committees.
According to Abdullahi, the issue lies in scheduling, noting that governors regularly honour summons from other oversight bodies without conflict.
CoG Vice Chair Muthomi Njuki echoed the concerns, questioning the practicality of requiring 29 governors to appear before a single committee simultaneously.
“How would it be possible for 29 governors to appear? That is politics being played out,” Njuki said.
Njuki also criticised remarks by some committee members suggesting that governors should be presented in chains, terming the statements inappropriate.
He maintained that governors would boycott the specific committee in question but would continue to cooperate with other Senate committees.
