A standoff between the council of Governors and the Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee has escalated, with West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin calling for urgent intervention and dialogue.
Speaking during the distribution of Maize seeds at Makutano Town in West Pokot County, amid the growing dispute, Kachapin urged the Senate to take seriously concerns raised by governors regarding the committee, which is chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang.
The governor said the Council of Governors had formally requested a meeting with the Senate to address challenges with the committee, but instead of engagement, the committee had issued summons to governors.
“When the Council of Governors says there are issues, there are issues,” he stated.
He questioned the credibility of the committee, alleging that it cannot effectively fight corruption while facing accusations of misconduct itself.
Kachapin went further to claim that the committee risks being perceived as part of the problem it is mandated to address.
The governor noted that while governors have agreed to appear before senate oversight committees, they have raised specific concerns about the Public Accounts Committee, which he said must first address internal issues.
He called on Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to step in and facilitate dialogue, citing his experience as a former governor.
“Kingi has been a governor for two terms. But he can’t refuse to meet fellow governors and get a hearing. And I want to say that without hesitation. Let them come and get information from us,” Kachapin insisted, warning that failure to engage could undermine the Senate’s credibility as a respected institution.
Kachapin also maintained that governors should not be intimated, stressing that they are elected leaders accountable to the public and committed to delivering services.
He suggested that independent agencies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission are better suited to investigate corruption allegations objectively.
The remarks come as governors maintain they will not appear before the County Public Accounts Committee until allegations of extortion against some of its members are addressed.
The dispute now raises fresh concerns over the relationship between county governments and the Senate, particularly on matters of oversight and accountability.
By Anthony Melly
