NAIROBI, Kenya — The Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) has summoned Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to explain his failure to arrest and present Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit before Parliament, accusing the police chief of undermining legislative authority.
The summons comes after Governor Lelelit repeatedly ignored CPAC invitations to account for the use of billions of shillings allocated to Samburu County during the 2023/24 financial year, raising concerns over accountability and oversight.
CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang’ said the Inspector General’s inaction amounts to contempt of Parliament and weakens the Senate’s constitutional mandate to oversee public expenditure.
“The Inspector General of Police should appear before this Committee within the next seven days to explain why he is unwilling to implement the resolutions of Parliament,” Senator Kajwang’ said.
He warned that the police do not operate outside the Constitution, adding that CPAC would not tolerate continued defiance.
“This Committee will not tolerate contempt of Parliament by the IGP or his failure to facilitate the work of Parliament,” he said.
Governor Lelelit failed to appear before the committee on December 4, 2025, leading CPAC to impose a Sh500,000 fine.
The committee subsequently directed the police on December 9 to trace, arrest and present the governor by December 18.
However, in a letter dated December 18, Inspector General Kanja told the committee that police were unable to trace the governor and therefore could not execute the arrest.
CPAC then issued fresh instructions, ordering the IGP to make further efforts and present the governor before the committee on January 26, 2026. That directive was also not complied with.
In correspondence to the committee, Governor Lelelit cited his attendance at a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Governing Council meeting at State House, chaired by President William Ruto, as the reason for his absence.
Committee member Steven Lelegwe said he personally saw the governor at the meeting, dismissing the explanation as evasive.
“The governor is giving excuses because he is not ready to appear before this Committee. In fact, he does not want to appear,” Senator Lelegwe said, calling for firm sanctions.
Senator Kajwang’ said explanations from both the governor and the Inspector General do not absolve them from contempt proceedings, insisting that Parliament’s authority must be respected.
CPAC Vice-Chairperson Johnes Mwaruma criticised the police chief for failing to uphold his constitutional duty to support parliamentary oversight.
“We cannot enforce accountability if the IGP cannot honour resolutions of Parliament. His failure to arrest and produce the governor amounts to contempt of Parliament, and he must be held to account,” Senator Mwaruma said.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna echoed the sentiment, urging the committee to take decisive action. “We should summon him and deal with this firmly. This is pure contempt,” he said.
Senator Enock Wambua further warned that the events raise concerns of possible collusion between the governor and the police leadership to frustrate the committee’s work.
Governor Lelelit is now expected to appear before CPAC on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, as the Senate intensifies scrutiny of county financial management.
