By Kamadi Amata
A major constitutional standoff is brewing between the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Senate after county bosses resolved to suspend all appearances before the powerful County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).
In a strongly worded letter addressed to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on Thursday, the Council of Governors, led by Chairperson H.E. Ahmed Abdullahi, cited serious allegations against specific members of the committee, including extortion, intimidation, and political witch-hunts.
Following an Extraordinary Council meeting held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the Governors announced that while they remain willing to appear before all other Senate Standing Committees, the CPAC is now a no-go zone.
“We wish to communicate that the Excellency Governors will appear before all the Committees of the Senate of Kenya to deliberate on matters of common interest to the counties EXCEPT the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), until such a time when the issues raised in our previous correspondence are addressed,” the letter reads in part.
The CoG claims that the decision was necessitated by the Senate’s failure to address formal complaints previously lodged regarding the conduct of the watchdog committee members.
The Council stated that the oversight process has been weaponized, describing the environment as toxic.
“The Council reiterates that it had formally raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of certain members of CPAC, including allegations of extortion, intimidation, political witch-hunt, and harassment,” Governor Abdullahi wrote.
The Governors expressed regret that these concerns have remained unaddressed, with the alleged misconduct persisting through “continued attacks against Governors, including on the Floor of the House.”
The Council argues that the current behavior of the CPAC undermines the dignity of the Senate and violates the institutional integrity of County Governments.
They have now thrown the ball in Speaker Kingi’s court, calling upon the Senate leadership to “kindly but urgently” address the allegations against the CPAC members to restore a workable relationship.
“We wish to further reiterate our unwavering commitment to accountability and prudent use of public resources but emphasis that oversight should be exercised lawfully, ethically and devoid of abuse of office,” the statement concluded.