Governors have escalated their standoff with the Senate by outlining what they describe as an elaborate extortion scheme allegedly orchestrated through the office of the chairperson of the Senate’s County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAIC), Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’.
Speaking during a press conference at the conclusion of a two-day Council of Governors retreat in Kilifi, county chiefs said it has become routine for governors summoned to appear before the Senate committee to first report to the chairperson’s office, where they allege bribes are demanded before proceedings can begin.
According to the governors, failure to comply with the demands often results in hostile and humiliating committee sessions, which they say are disguised as rigorous oversight hearings but are in reality punitive encounters.
Alleged Pattern of Coercion Before Committee Sessions
The governors claimed that senators insist on unsanctioned pre-meetings despite official invitation letters clearly outlining the time, venue, and scope of CPAIC sessions.
Council of Governors Vice Chairperson and Embu Governor Muthomi Njuki said the practice is irregular and contrary to established parliamentary procedures, adding that governors are increasingly being subjected to informal demands that undermine accountability processes.
Njuki noted that the alleged insistence on prior meetings has no legal basis and has become a mechanism for exerting pressure on governors before formal hearings commence.
Governors Accuse Senators of Taking Money Without Delivering Outcomes
Kisii Governor Simba Arati echoed the allegations, accusing some senators of receiving money from governors and then failing to act as agreed, resulting in continued harassment and adverse committee outcomes.
Arati said he is prepared to publicly call out senators involved in the alleged scheme, arguing that the practice has eroded trust between county governments and the Senate.
The governors maintain that the situation has reached a tipping point, with several county bosses increasingly viewing CPAIC appearances as transactional and coercive rather than constitutionally mandated oversight engagements.
Council of Governors Seeks Urgent Meeting With Senate Leadership
Council of Governors Chairperson and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdulahi confirmed that he has formally written to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, seeking an urgent and candid meeting between governors and Senate leadership.
Abdulahi said the governors are ready to table what he described as raw evidence of extortion, including details of how the alleged scheme operates and the individuals involved.
Until such a meeting is held, the Council of Governors has unanimously resolved that its members will not appear before the Senate’s CPAIC.
Former Senate Speaker Backs Governors’ Claims
Former Senate Speaker and current Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka weighed in on the matter, saying he understands the internal workings of the Senate and the committee system.
Lusaka said he personally handled cases involving some senators during his tenure as Speaker and chair of the Senate Powers and Privileges Committee, adding that his remarks are informed by firsthand experience rather than speculation.
He expressed concern that the alleged practices undermine the credibility of parliamentary oversight and damage public confidence in accountability institutions.
Governors Defend Boycott of CPAIC Sessions
The governors defended their decision to suspend appearances before CPAIC, arguing that the law provides for consequences that are less severe than what they describe as extortion and public humiliation.
According to the governors, it is legally cheaper to skip committee appearances than to attend sessions where bribes are allegedly demanded and reputations damaged.
They reiterated that they are not opposed to accountability or oversight, but insist that the process must be lawful, transparent, and free from intimidation and corruption.
The standoff now sets the stage for a potentially tense engagement between county governments and the Senate leadership, as pressure mounts for an independent investigation and possible reconstitution of the CPAIC.
