Council of Governors Names Four Senators Over Alleged Extortion and Harassment in Senate Oversight

The Council of Governors has escalated its dispute with the Senate by naming four members of the County Public Accounts Committee it accuses of misconduct during oversight hearings. In a resolution addressed to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, the CoG singled out Moses Kajwang (Homa Bay), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Samson Cherargei (Nandi) and Johnes Mwaruma (Tana River) for what it described as persistent extortion, political witch-hunts, intimidation and harassment when governors appear to respond to audit queries.

The accusations surfaced during a governors' retreat in Kilifi around February 9, 2026, where county leaders resolved to suspend appearances before the CPAC until their concerns are addressed through structured engagement between Senate leadership and the CoG. Council Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi described the named senators as extortionists who leverage their positions to demand money or favours in exchange for favourable treatment on audit reports. The CoG cited ongoing reports from governors of humiliation and threats during committee sessions.

The Senate County Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Kajwang, examines audited accounts of county governments, revenue appropriations and expenditure. It summons governors and officials to explain findings in Auditor-General reports, which often highlight irregularities in procurement, payroll, project implementation and use of funds. These hearings form a key part of devolved governance accountability under the 2010 Constitution.

CPAC Chair Moses Kajwang dismissed the claims, stating that accountability remains non-negotiable even when scrutiny is uncomfortable. He suggested governors cannot dictate who sits on oversight committees and accused them of trying to evade tough questions on public spending. Kajwang offered to step aside if his approach was the issue, proposing Sifuna as a replacement. Other committee members and Senate leadership have challenged the governors to produce evidence and report any wrongdoing to investigative agencies rather than making public allegations.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi described the CoG's resolution as inappropriate and unconducive to intergovernmental cooperation. He noted the Senate's concern over the boycott threat and demands for committee reconstitution. Kingi emphasised that constitutional oversight cannot be suspended at the discretion of those under scrutiny.

The standoff has intensified amid heightened scrutiny of county finances. Recent audit reports have flagged billions in questionable expenditures across counties, ranging from stalled projects to unaccounted funds. Governors argue that aggressive questioning crosses into harassment, while senators insist rigorous probes are necessary to curb misuse of devolved resources.

For the construction sector, these oversight sessions often touch on infrastructure contracts, including roads, water projects, health facilities and school buildings financed through county budgets or national transfers. Allegations of extortion during hearings could deter frank discussions on project delays, variations or procurement flaws, potentially affecting transparency in public works.

The CoG has indicated it will present evidence to Senate leadership and House committees. No formal investigations have been launched based on the claims, and governors have vowed to limit appearances before related committees until resolution. The dispute risks straining relations between the two levels of government at a time when devolution faces ongoing debates over funding and accountability.