The Council of Governors (CoG) has issued a stinging rebuke to the Senate following a dramatic and physical confrontation involving Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit at Parliament buildings. CoG Chair Ahmed Abdullahi termed the incident, which occurred on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, as “lawless hooliganism” and a direct threat to the constitutional order.
The Confrontation at Parliament
The standoff reportedly escalated when members of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) attempted to enforce what they described as a “citizen’s arrest” on Governor Lelelit. Witnesses described senators forcefully attempting to drag the governor into a committee room after he allegedly snubbed multiple summons to respond to audit queries regarding the 2024/25 financial year.
Governor Lelelit was seen fleeing the scene to avoid being manhandled, later claiming he was “roughed up” and physically assaulted by the legislators.
CoG Response: Call for Legal Redress
Speaking on behalf of the 47 county chiefs on Thursday, April 2, Ahmed Abdullahi characterized the senators’ actions as harassment and intimidation.
- Violation of Due Process: Abdullahi argued that while the Senate has an oversight mandate, it must use lawful mechanisms—such as the Senate Standing Orders—rather than physical force.
- Dignity of Office: The CoG noted that such behavior demeans the office of the Governor as a Head of Government.
- Legal Action: The Council has urged relevant authorities to investigate the assault and confirmed it is seeking legal redress to prevent future “witch-hunting” of governors.
Escalating Oversight Tensions
This incident marks a breaking point in the ongoing friction between the Senate and County Executives over financial accountability.
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- Funding Threats: Senators, led by CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang, have threatened to engage the National Treasury to halt the disbursement of funds to counties whose governors refuse to appear for audit sittings.
- Travel Bans: Earlier in the year, the committee had advised governors to suspend all foreign travel until the conclusion of the audit cycle in late March, a directive several governors have defied.
Wider Impact on Devolution
The standoff comes as the country navigates several logistical hurdles, including the nationwide flood crisis and the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) drive. The CoG warned that “state actors must uphold accountability without violating human rights,” suggesting that the current hostility could paralyze service delivery in counties like Samburu, Garissa, and Isiolo, whose governors are currently under the Senate’s spotlight.
The CoG remains committed to cooperation but insists that all engagements between the two levels of government must be conducted “within the rule of law.”
