Senators demand arrest of 'rogue governors' who snub committee summons

Senators have called for the arrest and prosecution of governors who fail to honour Senate committee summons, following repeated absences by Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo.

The move has sparked a looming clash between the Senate and governors, as senators push for legal action against any county bosses who disregard their oversight role.

Governor Abdi, who has ignored over seven invitations to appear before various Senate committees, is now facing arrest by the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Douglas Kanja.

The senators want him held accountable for his continued absence regarding audit queries concerning his county.

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua proposed that the Senate consider passing a resolution requiring the IG to arrest such errant governors and bring them before the House.

He stressed that Governor Guyo’s actions show "contempt of the first degree" not only toward the committees but the Senate at large.

“In this case, let this Senate ensure that the governor of Isiolo is physically arrested and locked up in the Parliament Police Station, and produced before a Plenary sitting of the Senate,” Wambua said, adding that this would set an example for others who disrespect Senate summons.

Migori Senator Eddy Oketch supported the call for prosecution, noting that failing to appear before committees is a criminal act. He urged the Senate to present reports recommending prosecution to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

“I hope that the Governor of Isiolo will be the first to face the wrath of a House of Parliament that protects the people against such exploitation,” Oketch added.

Kirinyaga Senator James Murango echoed the sentiment, calling for the arrest and detention of Governor Abdi until he complies with the Senate’s demands.

"The governor of Isiolo should be arrested and detained and only be released after attending all the committees he has snubbed," Murango said.

Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya also stressed the need for serious regulations to rein in defiant governors, while Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ reminded county leaders that Senate oversight is a constitutional duty to safeguard public resources.

Kajwang’ pointed out that this issue is not isolated to one county but is a recurring problem across several others.

“This conversation should not be localised to one governor or one county. We are seeing this problem across several other counties in the 47 county governments, and we need a solution. We need to strengthen the consequences for contempt of Parliament without subjecting them to judicial review,” Kajwang'said.

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina urged the Senate to use the police station within Parliament to arrest defiant governors.

“The only way you can protect devolution is by making sure that you call these people to account. I want to request the Inspector-General of Police to expeditiously go and make sure that that governor is taken to jail,” Olekina said.

Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga called for the Senate to take firm action, stating that some governors view themselves as "demi-gods."

He emphasised that the Senate must enforce measures to ensure that it can perform its oversight role effectively.

“We can only execute our mandate of oversight if we put instruments in place that will ensure we do not remain toothless,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot urged the committees to draft summons for Governor Guyo and request the IG to ensure the governor is held in safe custody until the next sitting of the committee.

“We have a very good police station here at Parliament. It is for dealing with errant members of society, including governors who fail to honour summons,” Cheruiyot said.

He called for swift action, stating, “I want to hear that a certain Senate Committee has ordered the IG to arrest, detain, and produce Governor Abdi before the next sitting of the Committee for failing to honour previous summons.”

Article 125 of the Constitution grants Parliament and its committees the authority to summon any person to give evidence or provide information.

This is backed by Section 18(1) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, which gives the Senate the same powers as the High Court, including ordering arrests for those who fail to honour summons.