Governors to boycott Senate oversight committee over claims of extortion
Governors have suspended their appearances before the Senate's CPAC accusing unnamed members of the oversight body of extorting money from them ahead of scheduled sittings...
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Kenyan Governors have suspended their appearances before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), accusing unnamed members of the oversight body of extortion and using sittings for political witch hunts. The decision was announced during the ongoing Governors’ Retreat in Kilifi.
- The Council of Governors (CoG) chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi stated that governors would resume appearances only after a structured engagement with the Senate leadership to address their grievances.
- Governors are concerned about "continuous and escalating extortion, political witch hunt, harassment, intimidation, and humiliation" by certain senators.
- Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki clarified that their issue is with only "four senators" whom he described as extortionists.
- Recent instances of scrutiny include Bungoma County's Sh3.6 million spent on a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in 2019, and Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo facing questions over Sh5 million for a housewarming party.
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Governors Threaten to Boycott Senate Committees Over Extortion Claims - February 2026
The Council of Governors (CoG) has suspended appearances before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), accusing unnamed members of extortion and using sittings for political witch hunts. The CoG directed governors to suspend appearances before CPAC and limit them before the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee. Four Senators from the PAC, led by Chair Moses Kajwang, were specifically accused of intimidation and harassment. In response, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi rejected the extortion claims and defended the Senate's constitutional oversight role. CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang also fired back at the boycott threat, stating governors cannot dictate the terms of their accountability for public funds.
