Kingi warns governors against suspending Senate appearances over harassment claims
By Cy Muganda, February 10, 2026Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has dismissed claims by the Council of Governors (CoG) regarding harassment by Senate audit committees and warned county chiefs against suspending appearances.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Kingi said the Senate’s oversight role over county governments is firmly anchored in the Constitution and cannot be undermined by unsubstantiated allegations.
“The Senate has noted with concern allegations contained in a press statement issued by the Council of Governors (CoG), and subsequently reported in the media, regarding the operations of Senate Committees—specifically the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) and the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee (CPIC),” the Speaker stated.
CoG demands
Kingi further expressed concern over the Council of Governors’ demand for the reconstitution of the County Public Accounts Committee based on claims of political witch-hunts, harassment, extortion, and intimidation by four unnamed Members of the Committee.
“The Senate is cognizant of the position taken by the Council of Governors to suspend appearances before the County Public Accounts Committee until structured engagement is held between its leadership and that of the Senate, and to limit appearances before the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee to once per audit cycle,” Kingi said.
The Speaker emphasised that the Senate’s oversight role is constitutionally mandated and cannot be subject to conditions set by governors.
“The Senate wishes to reiterate that its oversight role over county governments is firmly anchored in the Constitution. Article 96(3) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 provides that ‘the Senate determines the allocation of national revenue among counties, as provided in Article 217, and exercises oversight over national revenue allocated to the county governments,'” the statement read.
Constitutional mandate
The Speaker noted that Senate audit committees are guided by Article 229 of the Constitution, which requires Parliament to consider and dispose of audit reports within three months of their receipt from the Auditor-General by March 31 of each year.
“Compliance with this constitutional timeline is not optional, and any actions that impede the audit process undermine accountability and prudent use of public resources,” Kingi stated.
He added that Article 96(1) states the Senate “represents the counties and serves to protect the interests of the counties and their governments.”
Kingi reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to fulfilling its constitutional mandate and ensuring robust oversight of public funds allocated to county governments.
“The Senate remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional mandate and ensuring that oversight over public funds allocated to county governments remains robust, objective and timely,” he said.
Call for structured dialogue
While acknowledging that governors may have legitimate concerns, Kingi criticised the use of media to make unsubstantiated claims rather than following established institutional channels.
“Should the Council of Governors have concerns regarding the conduct or operations of Senate Committees, established and legitimate institutional channels exist through which such concerns may be formally raised and addressed,” the Speaker stated.
“While the Senate remains open to structured and constructive dialogue with devolution actors, recourse to public mudslinging and unsubstantiated allegations in the media, unsupported by evidence, is neither appropriate nor conducive to intergovernmental cooperation,” he added.
The Speaker concluded by emphasising the Senate’s commitment to accountability and devolution.
“The Senate remains steadfast in upholding the principles of accountability, safeguarding the promise of devolution and discharging its constitutional responsibilities in the interest of the people of Kenya,” Kingi stated.