The Senate has issued a 30-day ultimatum to governors who have been ignoring summons from the Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC), warning that enforcement measures will follow if they fail to comply with audit query hearings.
Addressing the media on April 25, Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi maintained that appearing before parliamentary committees is mandatory, saying governors must account for public spending without exception.
“If there are expenditures such as Ksh70 million on curtains or Ksh5 million on a housewarming, those issues must be explained. Appearing before committees is not optional, even if it is opposed repeatedly,” he said.
Lawmakers said the move is grounded in the Constitution and dismissed claims that the summons is politically motivated, insisting they are carrying out their oversight role under Article 125.
Senate Issues 30-Day Ultimatum To Governors
On his part, CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang’ noted that the committee had already tabled its report and recommendations, which were adopted by the House on March 31, 2026, giving institutions 30 days to implement the findings.
“After the 30-day period, we move to the next stage of forwarding files to the EACC and DCI, and requesting the DPP to initiate prosecutions for governors found in contempt of Parliament. We will also seek the intervention of the Inspector General of Police where necessary. The law is clear and remains unchanged,” Kajwang’ said.
The Senate’s Liaison Committee also challenged governors to present evidence supporting allegations of extortion and corruption within the Senate, accusing some county chiefs of using diversionary claims to avoid accountability.
The lawmakers reiterated that their oversight mandate will not be compromised, warning that continued defiance of summons will trigger further action.
Also Read: Kenyan Governors Issue Demands as Sakaja Narrowly Escapes Arrest
Arrest Of Nairobi Governor Sakaja, Fined KSh500,000 Over Contempt
On March 26, the Senate watchdog committee imposed a KSh500,000 fine on Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and directed that he be arrested for contempt of Parliament after failing to honor repeated summons.
The County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) instructed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to arrest the governor and present him before the committee on Monday, March 30, following a finding that he had ignored multiple invitations.
Also Read: Sakaja Faces Arrest as Senate Issues Final Summons
Sakaja was said to have skipped three separate summons despite being required to account for the utilization of funds allocated to Nairobi City County.
Lawmakers indicated that the arrest was intended to compel his appearance before the committee to respond to audit queries on county expenditures.
CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang’ said the committee had resolved that the governor be taken into custody and produced before it at a time to be communicated later.
The committee was also set to consider whether Sakaja’s failure to appear amounted to a serious constitutional breach that could affect his suitability to hold office.
