Senate summons Isiolo, Kericho governors for skipping audit hearings
The two were expected to answer questions regarding the 2023-24 financial reports, but both requested last-minute postponements that senators described as disrespectful and misleading.
The Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee has moved to summon Kericho and Isiolo governors after they failed to attend crucial audit hearings, triggering strong condemnation from Senators.
The two were expected to answer questions regarding the 2023-24 financial reports, but both requested last-minute postponements that senators described as disrespectful and misleading.
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Committee Chair Moses Kajwang said the governors’ actions disrupted a process that is constitutionally required to conclude by the end of the year.
“It is disheartening that today, the two governors chose not to appear before this committee,” Kajwang said.
“The governor of Kericho sent a letter received at 5:27 am this morning calling for postponement. We take that as contempt of Parliament.”
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo also submitted a letter dated November 19 asking for the hearing to be moved.
Senator Kajwang emphasised that counties are required to make such requests at least seven days in advance.
“We issue a 14-day notice, so you cannot, on the morning of the meeting or a day before, say you are unavailable,” he said.
The committee noted that officials from the Auditor General’s office and other oversight bodies had already travelled to Nairobi, incurring costs that could have been avoided had the governors informed them sooner.
“We find the conduct of the two governors contemptuous and in violation of Article 73 on honesty in execution of public duties,” Kajwang added.
He confirmed that the committee will use formal summons to compel the governors’ appearances.
The Senate aims to complete examination of the 2023-24 audit reports by December 31, 2025, and Kajwang stressed that no delay would be tolerated.
“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,” he said.
Kajwang also criticised county assemblies that have avoided hearings, citing CASA games or travel.
Senate County Public Accounts Committee Chairperson Moses Kajwang’. (Photo: Senate)
“When we call the county assemblies, we are not calling the entire House. We expect the clerk, speaker and board members to appear. This excuse will not be entertained going forward,” he said.
Governor Mutai explained in his letter that he was preparing to host a Senate delegation in Kericho on the same day.
“I do hereby request a postponement and rescheduling of the appearance scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2025, to a later date. This is in view of an upcoming visit by the honourable senators to Kericho county on an oversight and engagement exercise on revenue management systems, infrastructure, IFMIS integration and its challenges.”
However, Senators rejected this reasoning.
“He does not indicate which committee is allegedly visiting Kericho. I’m a member of the ICT committee, and we had no plan whatsoever to visit Kericho today. He had enough time to prepare, yet he chose tricks and excuses,” Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said.
Cherargei also noted that the governor’s actions reinforce doubts about his capacity to lead.
“I voted to impeach this governor in the last two attempts. This reinforces my belief that he is not capable of running Kericho,” he said, adding that Mutai should reimburse costs incurred by oversight officials.
Governor Abdi Guyo, through the county secretary, stated: “We wish to inform you that the governor will not be available on the said date due to an unavoidable commitment. In light of this, we kindly request the committee to consider rescheduling the meeting to a later date to allow him to appear in person as required.”
The letter also assured that all necessary documentation for the audit had been compiled and would be submitted.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi called the behaviour “the highest form of contempt” and urged immediate action.
“He is giving flimsy grounds that he is hosting governors. He must be summoned within the shortest time possible, and this should serve as an example. If a governor cannot appear, there must be justifiable cause,” Osotsi said.
Vice chair Johnes Mwarume backed the summons, highlighting the need to protect the integrity of Senate oversight.
Kajwang reminded senators that past attempts to address these governors’ conduct through impeachment had stalled.
“When assemblies move motions to impeach governors, it signals dysfunction. It is our duty to pursue the issues and restore harmony between assemblies and executives,” he said.
The committee ruled that future postponement requests must be made at least seven days before hearings and be fully justified.
Failure to comply will trigger formal summons, and senators warned that the Inspector General of Police may be called to enforce appearances if necessary.
The two are now required to appear before CPAC on dates to be set by the Clerk of the Senate.
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