- The Council of Governors (CoG) has vowed to boycott the summons of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts of Counties (CPAC), accusing some senators of alleged financial fraud, harassment and political persecution
- The governors have mentioned Moses Kajwang, Edwin Sifuna, Samson Cherargei and Johnes Mwaruma as being among those who regularly engage in threats, demanding that they be removed from the oversight committees.
- While emphasizing their commitment to accountability, the governors say oversight must be legal and ethical, and they have called for structural cooperation with the leadership of the Senate to resolve the tension.
The Council of Governors (CoG) has reiterated its position against the summons of the Senate Committee on County Public Accounts following allegations of fraud and abuse.
Source: Twitter
The governors named four senior members of the committee to be involved in the alleged fraud.
In a press release, the council accused senators Moses Kajwang of Homa Bay, who is also the chairman of the committee, Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi, Samson Cherargei of Nandi and Johnes Mwaruma of Taita Taveta for promoting abuse and fraud.
“We note with great concern the reports and ongoing incidents of fraud, political searches, threats and harassment of governors during questioning before the Senate Public Accounts Committee (CPAC). To remove any doubt, we submit that the following senators have been repeatedly named as the main perpetrators of these actions: Moses Kajwang, Edwin Sifuna, Samson Cherargei and Johnes Mwaruma,” the council said.
The governors vowed to boycott the committee’s call until the issues they raised against the senators were addressed.
At the same time, they wanted the removal of the senators from the Senate committees to restore trust, integrity and fairness in the oversight process.
The governors, while expressing their full commitment to accountability and efficient use of public resources, requested a joint meeting with the Senate to resolve issues they claim are obstacles to the accountability process.
Previously, the county leaders had warned that they would boycott the committee’s meetings, but they had not identified the senators they had problems with.
CoG Chairman and Wajir Governor, Ahmed Abdullahi, speaking after the workshop in Kilifi, expressed concern about what he described as increasing fraud, political persecution, harassment, intimidation and humiliation of governors.
He said the council has decided not to appear before the committee until their complaints are addressed through structural cooperation with the leadership of the Senate.
Abdullahi further explained that governors are frequently called before the Senate Committee on County Investments and Special Funds to discuss investments in municipalities, hospitals and water companies.
They agreed to come only once for each audit cycle.
He stressed that although the council continues to be committed to accountability, oversight must be legal, ethical and free from abuse of power.
Senator Kajwang dismissed the position of the governors, saying it is similar to giving conditions to the Senate.
He referred to the Auditor General’s reports and media reports about the alleged theft of county resources, noting that Articles 229 and 125 of the Constitution give the Senate the authority to review the reports and call witnesses.
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