Senators reach deal with governors to end standoff
By Aloys Michael, April 29, 2026Senators have confirmed that governors have called off the boycott of the oversight sessions following a negotiated truce reached after weeks of closed-door talks between the two sides.
The breakthrough, announced on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during Senate proceedings, clears the way for governors to resume appearances before key committees, ending a standoff that had disrupted accountability processes.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said the agreement was contingent on governors first withdrawing their hardline position.
“Yesterday, when we met as a leadership with the CPAC and CPIC, we made it clear to the Council that while we hear what you are saying, withdraw first the demands you had made which require non-appearance before CPAC before the matter is resolved,” he said.
The dispute had been triggered by allegations from governors that some members of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) were engaging in extortion, prompting the Council of Governors to boycott appearances before oversight bodies.
Talks to resolve the impasse were led by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and Council of Governors chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, with meetings held on April 20 and April 26 within Parliament buildings.
Under the deal, governors agreed to resume attending sessions of the CPAC, drop demands for the removal of four senators they had accused of corruption, and refrain from publicly criticising the Senate.
In return, senators committed to addressing extortion claims internally, upholding decorum during committee proceedings, and respecting governors appearing before them. They also pledged to consider increased allocations to counties in the upcoming financial year.
Mandera Senator Ali Roba told the House that the mediation team had adequately represented Senate interests.
“I was in that committee of 12. The Deputy Speaker was in that committee. There are 12 members from this House you selected. The interest of this House was represented correctly. The name-calling happened,” he said.
Cheruiyot confirmed that governors would immediately resume appearances.
County allocations
“They willingly agreed that they shall appear before those committees as from today. Kajwang was in that meeting, Vihiga senator was in that meeting, therefore I don’t see why we should hold the House hostage,” he stated.
Roba also apologised for not updating senators earlier on the progress of the talks.
“We have concluded that in the interest of the Senate, our primary responsibility is to represent the county governments. I would wish to apologise for not having briefed the House on what happened and plead with the Senate that we represented you,” he said.
Even as the agreement took effect, Senate business resumed with debate on the Division of Revenue Bill 2026, signalling a return to normal operations after the standoff.
The Senate Finance and Budget Committee has proposed allocating Ksh454 billion to counties in the next financial year, up from Ksh415 billion currently. Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi noted that the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) had recommended Ksh459 billion, while the National Assembly proposed Ksh420 billion.
However, tensions were still evident during the sitting when Migori Senator Eddy Oketch was ejected and suspended for three days over disorderly conduct, while Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei criticised what he described as wasteful spending by county governments.
“A governor allocated Ksh5 million for a housewarming. Is that prudent use of resources? In Nandi, the governor allocated Ksh41 million on car hire services. Is that a prudent use of resources?” he posed.