Governors Demand Immediate Withdrawal of Arrest Warrants in Fight With Senate

Governors Demand Immediate Withdrawal of Arrest Warrants in Fight With Senate

A standoff between county governments and the Senate has escalated after the Council of Governors (CoG) demanded the immediate withdrawal of arrest warrants targeting several governors, warning that continued enforcement could undermine constitutional order and intergovernmental relations.

In a strongly worded media briefing on Tuesday, March 31, CoG Chair Ahmed Abdullahi criticised the attempted arrest of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, calling for restraint and due process in handling disputes between elected leaders and oversight institutions. The council argued that coercive actions taken without full verification of facts risk politicising accountability mechanisms.

“We demand the immediate withdrawal of the alleged warrants of arrest or any coercive measures against governors, pending an impartial determination,” Abdullahi stated, setting the tone for what appears to be a deepening institutional conflict.

The confrontation follows an incident on Monday evening when police officers attempted to arrest Governor Sakaja at City Hall in Nairobi. The move was reportedly linked to directives from the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), which had ordered Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to produce Sakaja and Samburu Governor Jonathan Lati Lelelit before the committee over failure to honour summons.

Authorities, however, were unable to locate Sakaja during the operation, prompting further political and legal debate. The CoG has since condemned the attempt, arguing that such actions erode trust between national and county governments and risk setting a dangerous precedent.

“We also urge the Office of the Inspector General to establish the veracity of the matters to avoid miscarriage of justice or the misuse of legal processes for political or personal gain,” Abdullahi added.

At the centre of the dispute is the Senate’s oversight role over county governments, particularly through CPAC, which reviews audit reports and financial accountability. The committee had earlier warned that failure to comply with its summons could lead to governors being declared unfit to hold office, with recommendations forwarded to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Governor Sakaja, who later appeared before the committee on Tuesday afternoon, has maintained that the issue is not an individual matter but a collective stance taken by governors. He argued that the Council of Governors had resolved to temporarily suspend appearances before the Senate committee due to concerns over alleged intimidation and unfair treatment.

“The issue at hand is not a personal matter concerning Governor Sakaja Johnson, but one that is being handled collectively by the Council of Governors,” Sakaja said in a statement following the attempted arrest.

The CoG has echoed these sentiments, revealing that governors had unanimously agreed to boycott certain Senate proceedings until grievances surrounding the conduct of oversight sessions are addressed. Among the concerns raised are claims of harassment, humiliation, and even alleged extortion by some members of the Senate.

Despite the escalating tensions, governors insist they remain committed to accountability and the rule of law, emphasising their willingness to engage constructively once the issues are resolved.

“We wish to affirm the council’s commitment to constructive engagement aimed at resolving the impending matters, accountability, transparency, rule of law, and due process as established in the constitution,” the council said in its statement.

The dispute comes at a critical time when scrutiny over county finances has intensified, with audit reports highlighting alleged irregularities, including controversial expenditures on advisors and operational costs in several counties.

Political analysts warn that the ongoing standoff could disrupt governance and service delivery if not resolved swiftly. The conflict also raises broader questions about the balance of power between the Senate and devolved units, a key pillar of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.

As both sides dig in, calls for dialogue are growing louder, with stakeholders urging a mediated approach to prevent further escalation. For now, the situation remains fluid, with the potential to shape the future dynamics of intergovernmental relations in Kenya.

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Governors Demand Immediate Withdrawal of Arrest Warrants in Fight With Senate