The standoff between governors and senators has escalated, with lawmakers vowing not to approve counties’ push for increased funding if governors continue to snub Senate oversight committees.
Governors are seeking the Senate’s backing in their demand to be allocated Sh534.96 billion as an equitable share for the financial year ending June 30, 2027.
However, senators have declined to support the request by the Council of Governors (CoG), citing the governors’ continued failure to appear before Senate watchdog committees mandated to oversee the expenditure of billions of shillings allocated to counties.
Last week, the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) was forced to adjourn after six governors failed to honour a summons to appear before it. The governors are protesting what they describe as extortion, harassment and a political witch-hunt and are pushing for the reconstitution of the committee.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Those expected to appear were Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir), Ochilo Ayacko (Migori), Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo), Dhadho Godhana (Tana River) and Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta).
Similarly, only three out of 16 governors invited appeared before the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee last week.
The CoG is proposing that the 47 counties be allocated Sh534.96 billion as an equitable share. However, the Commission on Revenue Allocation has recommended Sh458.94 billion, while the National Treasury has proposed Sh420 billion.
CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang’ said governors cannot evade accountability while simultaneously expecting the Senate to approve an increase in allocations.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang'.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
He said county bosses must first account for the Sh387 billion allocated to them in the financial year ending June 30, 2025, before seeking additional funds.
“The Senate cannot be dictated to by the Council of Governors on how to conduct its business, as long as it operates within the law,” said Mr Kajwang’.
“Ironically, the same CoG that came to the Senate with a begging bowl is inciting its members not to appear before oversight committees to account for the Sh387 billion allocated to county governments in the 2024/2025 financial year. Our public finance system demands accountability before releasing additional funds. We shall strictly enforce this,” added the Homa Bay senator.
The CoG is scheduled to meet the Senate leadership on Thursday to address concerns raised by the governors.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has warned that governors must first appear before the oversight committees for the meeting to proceed.
The former Kilifi governor said the Council’s resolution not to appear before CPAC until their concerns are addressed is untenable.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said CPAC may be compelled to adopt the audit reports already tabled before it, warning governors that boycotting the committee will not shield them from accountability.
Mr Kajwang’ further stated that the Senate views the continued boycott by governors as contempt of the entire House.
“The Council intends to meet the Senate leadership next week but should be aware that the Constitution has not been suspended. They should not expect the Senate to support increased allocations given the contempt they are showing,” he said.
Orange Democratic Movement Party's Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna in Saboti Constituency, Trans Nzoia County on August 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said the Senate is united in ensuring county administrations are held accountable for the billions allocated to them.
He added that senators welcomed the move by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to act on some of the issues highlighted by the committee.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said appearing before the Senate is not a privilege but a constitutional obligation. He described the CoG as “a club of billionaires” more concerned with protecting what they have accumulated in office than serving their people.
