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Senate orders arrest of Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo after skipping audit hearing
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo.
The Senate Public Accounts Committee has issued a warrant of arrest against Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo after he failed to appear before senators to answer audit queries concerning the use of billions of shillings allocated to the county.
The committee directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to produce the governor before the Senate on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 2pm, invoking Parliament's constitutional powers to compel attendance.
Governor Guyo had written to the committee on Wednesday afternoon, informing senators that he would be attending another engagement at the Isiolo County Assembly and requesting that the hearing be rescheduled.
However, committee chair Moses Kajwang dismissed the explanation as insufficient, noting that the request came only hours before the scheduled Thursday morning session.
"We are working under the authority of the Constitution. We don't have the luxury of writing love letters and pleading with governors to appear," Mr Kajwang said.
Citing Article 125 of the Constitution and the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, Kajwang said Parliament has the power to summon witnesses and direct the Inspector General of Police to produce anyone who fails to honour a summons without adequate justification.
"The Governor of Isiolo County must be produced by the Inspector General of Police before the Senate on Monday, July 20, at 2pm," he directed.
Mr Kajwang said the committee only wanted the governor to explain how public funds allocated to Isiolo County had been spent, dismissing claims that the summons were politically motivated.
"There is no personal vendetta. There is no political witch hunt. Everyone must play their part in terms of accountability," he said.
He warned that the committee would not tolerate repeated postponement requests by governors, saying the Senate was under pressure to conclude scrutiny of the 2024/25 Auditor-General's reports before commencing review of the 2025/26 financial year's accounts.
"We must state it clearly that accountability does not go on holiday. It is not seasonal. We will remain focused on what the Constitution requires us to do," Mr Kajwang said.
He further warned that any governor who ignores Senate summons without valid reasons risks being compelled to appear through police enforcement.
"If you fail to appear before this committee and do not give appropriate reasons, we will direct the Inspector General of Police to produce you so that you can do the job you are required to do," he said.
