Cherargei calls for arrest of COG chair Ahmed Abdullahi
By Mabonga Makhanu, April 22, 2026Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has called for a warrant of arrest to be issued against the chairman of the Council of Governors, Ahmed Abdullahi, accusing him of being used to subvert justice.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, April 22, 2025, the outspoken senator blamed the Wajir governor for several issues, including violations of Article 10 of the Constitution on national values and good governance, Article 229 on public audit, Article 201 on public finance, and Article 174 on the principles of devolution.
“Madam Speaker, we must issue a warrant of arrest against the COG, Ahmed Abdullahi, for being used to subvert justice, for subverting Article 10 on national values, Article 229 of the Constitution of Kenya, and Article 201 on principles of finance,” he stated.
Cherargei maintained his hardline stance in the Senate chambers, claiming that a warrant of arrest could be issued within a week, insisting that the county boss has continued to undermine justice.
He further stated that the Senate should move to resume the summoning of governors before the county public accounts committee to ensure accountability.
However, Nominated Senator Veronica Maina pushed back, questioning whether Cherargei has the legal authority to summon governors.
COG senate stand-off
The standoff between the Council of Governors and the Kenyan Senate has dragged on for months.
County leaders under the COG have dug in their heels and refused to appear before the Senate’s main accounts committee.
They claim some senators have turned these sessions into platforms for public shaming and pressure tactics rather than proper oversight of how county funds are spent.
Governors argue that chief officers and finance teams should handle detailed responses since the law assigns them day-to-day accountability.
Senators, on the other hand, see the boycott as an attempt to avoid responsibility. They argue that governors run the counties and must answer for major spending decisions, especially when audits raise concerns.
Arrest orders
The Senate has issued warnings and even considered consequences such as arrest orders for those who continue to ignore summons. This back-and-forth has slowed oversight work, with both sides blaming each other for blocking accountability.
Talks between the two groups have taken place, but so far nothing concrete has been agreed on to end the deadlock.