Senate rejects Governors’ claims of harassment, defends oversight role

The Senate dismissed allegations by the Council of Governors (CoG) that its audit committees are engaged in political witch-hunts, harassment, intimidation and extortion, describing the claims as unsubstantiated and damaging to intergovernmental cooperation.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi said the House had noted with concern a press statement by the CoG, which was subsequently reported in the media, accusing members of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) and the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee (CPIC) of misconduct.

The Speaker further faulted the governors’ demand for the reconstitution of the County Public Accounts Committee, arguing that the allegations were directed at four unnamed senators and were unsupported by evidence.

The Senate also took issue with the CoG’s decision to suspend appearances before CPAC pending what it termed “structured engagement” with Senate leadership, and to limit appearances before CPIC to once per audit cycle.

According to the Senate, such actions risk undermining constitutional accountability mechanisms.

Speaker Kingi reiterated that the Senate’s oversight role over county governments is firmly anchored in the Constitution.

He cited Article 96(3), which mandates the Senate to exercise oversight over national revenue allocated to county governments, and Article 96(1), which assigns the House the responsibility of representing and protecting the interests of counties and their governments.

He further noted that Senate audit committees operate under Article 229 of the Constitution, which requires Parliament to consider and dispose of audit reports from the Auditor-General within three months of their submission, by March 31 each year.

“Compliance with this constitutional timeline is not optional,” the statement read, warning that any actions that impede the audit process undermine accountability and the prudent use of public resources.

While affirming the Senate’s openness to structured and constructive dialogue with devolution stakeholders, Kingi said there are established institutional channels through which concerns over committee conduct can be formally raised and addressed.

He cautioned against what he described as public mudslinging and the use of the media to advance allegations unsupported by evidence, saying such approaches are neither appropriate nor conducive to intergovernmental cooperation.

“The Senate remains steadfast in upholding the principles of accountability, safeguarding the promise of devolution and discharging its constitutional responsibilities in the interest of the people of Kenya,” the Speaker said.