A fresh standoff between the Senate and the Council of Governors (CoG) has escalated into a full-blown constitutional confrontation, as Nyamira senator Okong’o Omogeni defends the Senate’s oversight role.

This comes even as Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who faces arrest over summoning contempt, rejects what he terms as unwarranted 

The dispute, now drawing national attention, stems from governors collectively boycotting Senate summons, citing harassment and extortion concerns, particularly the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) members.

Speaking in an interview on a local TV station on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Omogeni backed enforcement measures taken by security agencies, insisting that no public official is above the law, warning that allowing governors to defy Senate summons would undermine constitutional order.

“If we create a situation where some people think they are above the law, we will be creating a banana republic where anarchy reigns,” Omogeni stated, emphasising the need for accountability in devolved units.

The senator defended the work of the Senate’s watchdog committees, noting that their role is rooted in safeguarding public resources.

According to him, audit processes are conducted by independent professionals and are meant to ensure value for money in county governments.

“The auditors are not politicians. They are professionals who scrutinise expenditure to confirm there is no wastage. This process ultimately ensures that public funds are well utilised for the benefit of citizens,” he explained.

Omogeni further clarified that Senate oversight is a structured and consultative process. He noted that governors are usually invited to appear before committees and are given opportunities to reschedule if unavailable. Summons, he said, are only issued as a last resort after repeated non-compliance.

Citing Article 125 of the Constitution, Omogeni argued that Parliament has powers equivalent to the High Court when exercising oversight, including summoning witnesses and enforcing attendance.

“What we are doing is not an overreach. We are invoking powers granted to Parliament by the Constitution,” he said, adding that even fines imposed on non-compliant governors have failed to ensure cooperation.

Governors snubbing accountability?

The senator also raised concerns over what he described as excessive spending within governors’ offices, claiming that billions of shillings are being spent without adequate accountability.

However, Sakaja had pushed back, framing the issue as a broader institutional dispute rather than personal defiance.

In a statement issued on March 30, 2026, the Nairobi governor maintained that his absence from the Senate committee was guided by the Council of Governors’ position.

“The issue at hand is not a personal matter concerning Governor Sakaja Johnson, but one being handled collectively,” Sakaja said.

He added that he has consistently honoured previous Senate invitations, citing multiple appearances before committees, including those handling lands, environment, and public accounts.

Sakaja also questioned the decision to deploy police officers to enforce his arrest, arguing that such actions escalate tensions unnecessarily.

“This dispute should be addressed institutionally, not through targeting an individual governor,” he said.