Senators threaten to block funds over governors' oversight boycott
National
By
Edwin Nyarangi
| Feb 21, 2026
Senate CPAC Committee Chair Moses Kajwang at Bunge Towers, Parliament, Nairobi. June 16, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]
Senators have vowed not to approve additional allocations to counties in the coming financial year if governors fail to appear before Senate committees to answer oversight queries on the expenditure of billions of shillings allocated to county governments.
The Council of Governors (CoG) is requesting that the 47 counties be allocated Sh534.96 billion as an equitable share, while the Commission on Revenue Allocation recommends Sh458.94 billion and the National Treasury proposes Sh420 billion for the 2026-2027 financial year.
Senate County Public Accounts Committee Chairperson Moses Kajwang said it was “mischievous” for governors to accuse a committee carrying out its work live on media, in the presence of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and other government agencies, of impropriety.
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“The Senate considers governors’ continued boycotts of oversight committee appearances as contempt on the entire House. They should not expect the Senate to support additional allocations given the contempt they are showing,” said Kajwang.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Wajir Governor Abdullahi Ali, Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana and Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime were slated to appear before the committee this week but did not show up.
Addressing journalists at Parliament Buildings, Kajwang said the committee had intended to conclude scrutiny of county expenditure by March 16 but will now extend the exercise to meet the March 31 deadline. He emphasised that governors cannot evade accountability while expecting increased allocations in July, noting that they are answerable for the Sh415 billion allocated this financial year.
“The Senate cannot be dictated to by the Council of Governors on how it should conduct its business. While the governors intend to meet Senate leadership next week, they must remember that the constitution has not been suspended,” he added.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said the Senate is united in ensuring county administrations are held accountable for billions of shillings allocated to them and welcomed EACC’s action in highlighting cases.
Housewarming party
He cited Mandera Governor Mohammed Khalif, whose administration spent Sh55 million on seedlings in a dry county and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, who admitted using Sh10 million meant for the County Aggregation Industrial Park for a boda boda event.
Other examples include Vihiga Governor Wilbur Ottichillo, who admitted spending Sh5 million on a housewarming for the Speaker’s residence, and Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who used Sh4 million to light a Christmas tree. “The governors are embarrassing themselves. Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki once claimed he had left his glasses at home and could not read a report, yet called us extortionists,” said Sifuna.
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina said the unity of governors will not shield them from corruption or accountability.
“Failing to appear before Parliament is an individual act of selfishness and will be addressed individually,” he warned, citing former COG Chairperson Wycliffe Oparanya, who initially refused to appear but complied the next day.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua said the committee will adopt reports already presented and warned governors they cannot evade accountability.
“When calling for increased county funds, we are darlings of governors; the same should apply when demanding accountability,” he said.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei described appearing before the Senate as a constitutional obligation, terming the Council of Governors a “club of billionaires” defending personal acquisitions over public interest.
“The COG meeting should focus on pressing issues like the drought, not attacking Senators for doing their work. We will continue executing our constitutional mandate,” he said.