Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has demanded accountability over claims that some governors are being pressured to defy Senate summons, intensifying scrutiny on the relationship between county governments and oversight institutions.
Speaking during Senate proceedings on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Sifuna accused Ahmed Abdullahi, the chair of the Council of Governors (CoG), of allegedly threatening governors who choose to appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee.
Sifuna argued that the narrative that governors are unwilling to attend Senate sessions is misleading. Instead, he claimed that only a small group of leaders is influencing others to skip the critical accountability meetings.
To illustrate his concerns, the senator recounted an incident where a county governor reportedly delayed appearing before the committee while engaged in a phone conversation with the CoG chair. According to Sifuna, the governor was allegedly being warned against attending the session and cautioned about potential consequences for defying the directive.
The outspoken senator insisted that such actions undermine constitutional oversight and weaken the Senate’s mandate to hold county governments accountable for public funds. He called for transparency and urged that those responsible for inciting defiance be publicly named.
The standoff highlights growing tensions between the Senate and county leadership, particularly over accountability and governance issues. As the Senate continues its oversight role, the unfolding dispute could have significant implications for intergovernmental relations and the enforcement of constitutional checks and balances.
