Governors Boycott Senate Over Claims of Harassment, Extortion and Witch-Hunts

The decision was announced on February 9, 2026, during an ongoing Governors' Retreat in Nairobi, where the CoG leadership emphasized that such conduct had turned legitimate accountability processes into hostile and degrading encounters. CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi highlighted the concerns, stating that governors would no longer appear before CPAC until the issues are formally addressed through structured high-level engagement between Senate leadership and the Council.

The CoG further resolved to limit interactions with the Senate County Public Investments Committee and demanded that the Senate address the alleged misconduct to restore mutual respect and professionalism in intergovernmental relations. Governors accused specific senators of transforming audit queries—often related to flagged expenditures like overpriced projects or unverified procurements—into opportunities for personal attacks, extortion demands, and public shaming. The statement noted that the pattern of behavior had become continuous and intolerable, prompting the collective stand as a way to protect the dignity of elected county leaders while still upholding the principles of accountability.

This standoff escalates long-standing tensions between the Senate and county governments over the scope of oversight, with governors arguing that Senate committees have overstepped into punitive territory rather than constructive scrutiny. The boycott could disrupt ongoing probes into county financial management and delay responses to Auditor-General reports. Reactions have been mixed, with some Kenyans criticizing the governors for evading accountability, while others view the move as a pushback against perceived senatorial overreach and abuse of power. The CoG has called for dialogue to resolve the impasse and prevent further deterioration of relations between the two levels of government.