Senate Demands Answers From IG Kanja Over Governor Guyo’s Failed Arrest
Kanja was expected to appear before the Senate on Monday, September 7, to explain the circumstances surrounding the failed arrest. However, the Inspector General did not attend the session, informing the committee that he was scheduled to travel to China.
In a letter to the Senate, Kanja explained that the National Police Service had formed a special team to locate and arrest Guyo after the governor failed to honour summons requiring him to appear before the committee.
According to Kanja, the operation did not succeed because the governor allegedly received information about the planned arrest and managed to avoid the police team.
“Apparently, the Governor got wind of it and successfully evaded our dragnet.”
The explanation, however, failed to satisfy members of the Senate committee, who questioned the effectiveness of the police response.
“The wording in the letter is not useful at all. It is unfortunate that the impression he creates in the letter is that the NPS is clueless, ineffective and powerless.”
Kajwang said the failure to arrest Guyo was particularly concerning because the governor is a senior and well-known public official whose whereabouts should ordinarily be easier for security agencies to establish.
“The failure by the police to arrest such a known public figure is sending the wrong signal to the public.”
“We reiterate that the IG must appear before this Committee and explain why he has failed to arrest the Governor.”
Guyo is required to respond to audit queries concerning the management and utilisation of billions of shillings allocated to Isiolo County.
The committee has been examining financial records and expenditure at the county government as part of its oversight role. Governors and other county officials can be summoned to answer questions arising from reports by the Auditor-General.
The developments have placed renewed attention on the relationship between Parliament and law enforcement agencies when officials fail to comply with summons.
The Senate has insisted that public officers must account for the use of public resources and comply with lawful oversight processes.
For now, the committee has rejected Kanja’s written explanation and expects him to appear before its members.
The Inspector General’s next appearance is likely to determine how the Senate proceeds with the matter and whether further action will be taken regarding the failure to present Governor Guyo.
The standoff comes amid growing scrutiny of county finances, with lawmakers maintaining that accountability for public funds remains a central responsibility of elected county officials.
The Senate committee is therefore seeking a clear explanation from the police leadership on why its directive was not executed, while the governor remains required to answer questions concerning Isiolo County’s financial management.
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Senate Demands Answers From IG Kanja Over Governor Guyo’s Failed Arrest
