NAIROBI, Kenya — The Council of Governors has condemned what it described as a “lawless attempt” by members of the Senate of Kenya to force Lelelit Lati to appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee, alleging that the incident escalated into an assault.
In a press statement, Council chair Ahmed Abdullahi termed the confrontation “shocking and unacceptable,” saying it undermined constitutionalism, human dignity, and the rule of law.
“The demonstration of hooliganism not only demeans the dignity of the public office of the Governor as a Head of Government, but strikes at the very heart of constitutionalism and the rule of law,” the Council said.
The Council argued that the Senate, as an oversight body mandated to protect county interests, has lawful mechanisms to enforce accountability, including summons issued under constitutional and standing order provisions.
It said the alleged use of force, intimidation, or harassment against a governor would amount to conduct inconsistent with democratic norms and institutional integrity.
The statement further urged the Senate Speaker to condemn the lawmakers involved and expedite the resolution of concerns raised by governors regarding the County Public Accounts Committee.
The Council also indicated that legal action could follow, describing the alleged incident as potentially criminal.
“We strongly urge the Speaker of the Senate to condemn the Senators involved in the aforementioned assault and expedite mechanisms for speedy resolution,” the statement read, adding that violent conduct against a county governor “constitutes a criminal offence for which legal action will be proffered.”
The dispute highlights growing tensions between county governments and Senate oversight committees, particularly over summons requiring governors to personally appear before committees handling audit queries.
Governors have previously argued that accounting officers, rather than elected leaders, should respond to financial audit matters, while senators maintain they have the authority to summon governors directly.
The Council said intergovernmental relations require dialogue and mutual respect, warning that confrontational approaches risk eroding democratic accountability frameworks established under the Constitution.
It called on all state actors to uphold accountability, restraint, and respect for human rights, urging immediate action to safeguard constitutional order and restore institutional integrity.
