Senate row deepens as Deputy Speaker Kathuri tells governors skipping sessions to resign
By Cy Muganda, February 11, 2026Deputy Senate Speaker Kathuri Murungi has told governors who are unwilling to appear before Senate committees to resign and let their deputies take over, escalating the standoff between the Council of Governors and the upper house.
Speaking in Meru on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Kathuri dismissed governors’ threats to boycott Senate sessions, saying the law provides mechanisms to compel their attendance, including fines and even arrest.
“But let me tell you, even if you try, there is no way you will avoid coming to the Senate. If you want to avoid coming to the Senate, resign immediately; your people, the deputy governor, will take over and do the work,” Kathuri stated in Kiswahili.
Oversight authority
Kathuri insisted that no governor can evade appearing before the Senate when summoned, warning that resignation is the only option for those unwilling to submit to scrutiny.
“Because if you resign, we will not hold by-elections for your position. The deputy governor is there; he will take over,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker emphasised that the law gives the Senate firm oversight authority over county governments and that summons issued by Senate committees carry the weight of a court order.
“The law has given the Senate power. When you are summoned by a Senate committee, it is like you have been told to appear in court, in the high court. And the committee of the Senate or any house has powers like those of a court,” Kathuri said.
He warned that governors who fail to honour Senate summons face serious consequences ,including financial penalties.
“And if you don’t come here, there are also procedures. There is a fine you can be charged, a personal fine, you can pay one million shillings. And even if you pay one million shillings in fines, the Senate should also forgive you or charge you, and even police can arrest you and bring you to the Senate to answer your questions,” the Deputy Speaker stated.
Call for accountability
Kathuri insisted that every governor must be accountable and perform their duties properly, dismissing suggestions that Senate oversight amounts to harassment.
“Therefore, every governor must be accountable if he is not doing his work properly,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker also ridiculed governors who want to become senators while simultaneously trying to avoid Senate scrutiny.
“And what do you want to be senators? Some have said they want to be senators. Now if you want to be a senator, and when you get to the Senate you start running away. Why are you running away from the questions that senators are asking you?” Kathuri asked.
“Now, why are you making noise, you are becoming enemies with senators. You want to be a senator. Do you want governors to come to the Senate, or do you want your position to remain as it is?” he added.