NAIROBI, Kenya – The Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) has issued summons to Kericho Governor Erick Mutai and Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo after they failed to appear for scheduled hearings on their counties’ 2023/24 audit queries, prompting sharp condemnation from senators.
The two county bosses were expected before the committee on Friday but both sought last-minute postponements — requests the senators dismissed as “misleading”, “disrespectful”, and “a violation of constitutional obligations”.
CPAC Chair Moses Kajwang’ accused the governors of disrupting a process that must be concluded by December 31, as required by law, noting that their absence wasted resources and inconvenienced national oversight agencies.
“It is disheartening that today, the two governors chose not to appear before this committee,” Kajwang’ said. “The governor of Kericho sent a letter at 5:27am calling for postponement. We take that as contempt of Parliament.”
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo also wrote on November 19 requesting a rescheduling of his appearance, citing unspecified “unavoidable commitments”.
Kajwang’ reminded county leaders that postponement requests must be submitted at least seven days before hearings.
“We issue a 14-day notice. You cannot, on the morning of the meeting or a day before, say you are unavailable,” he said.
The committee noted that staff from the Auditor General’s office and other oversight bodies had already travelled to Nairobi for the hearings, incurring avoidable costs.
“We find the conduct of the two governors contemptuous and in violation of Article 73 on honesty in execution of public duties,” Kajwang’ added, confirming they will now be compelled to appear through formal summons.
Senators Reject Governors’ Explanations
Governor Mutai said in his letter that he was preparing to host a Senate delegation in Kericho the same day, but senators dismissed the claim as false.
“He does not indicate which committee is visiting. I’m a member of the ICT Committee, and we had no plan whatsoever to visit Kericho today,” Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said. “He had enough time to prepare, yet he chose tricks and excuses.”
Cherargei, who previously voted twice in unsuccessful impeachment attempts against Mutai, said the latest incident reinforced concerns about the governor’s fitness to lead.
He also demanded that Mutai reimburse expenses incurred by oversight officials.
Isiolo’s Guyo, through his county secretary, argued that all relevant documents had been prepared and promised full cooperation — but senators insisted an appearance was non-negotiable.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi called the behaviour “the highest form of contempt”, saying the governors must be summoned immediately “to serve as an example”.
Committee Warns of Tougher Measures
Kajwang’ criticised county assemblies that also skip hearings, citing excuses such as CASA games or travel, and reminded leaders that only clerks, speakers, and board members are required to attend — not entire houses.
He also signalled readiness to escalate enforcement.
“We shall sit even over Christmas if we must. We shall send summons even on the 31st or on Boxing Day. We have a job to do,” Kajwang’ said.
He added that if governors continue to defy summons, the committee may involve the Inspector General of Police to enforce attendance — powers granted under parliamentary privilege laws.
Kajwang’ further noted that past impeachment efforts against the governors reflected deeper governance issues, saying the Senate must step in to prevent further breakdown between county executives and assemblies.
CPAC has ruled that future postponement requests must be made at least seven days in advance and fully justified. The new appearance dates for the two governors will be set by the Office of the Clerk.
