Parliament Warns of Possible Funding Freeze for Non-Compliant Counties
Parliament has issued a strong warning to several county governments, saying it may suspend the release of funds to counties whose governors continue to ignore summons to explain how public money is being used.
The warning was issued by the Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), which oversees how counties manage and spend allocated funds.
In a statement released on Monday, January 27, the committee expressed concern over the failure of three governors—Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir—to appear before the committee during scheduled hearings this month.
According to the senators, their absence has forced Parliament to consider taking firm legal and constitutional action to enforce accountability.
The committee noted that Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir did not provide any explanation for failing to attend the session. Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit reportedly skipped the hearing to attend a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) political event, while Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo cited insecurity in his county as the reason he could not travel to Nairobi to appear before the committee.
CPAC stated that such behavior undermines parliamentary oversight and weakens efforts to ensure transparency in the use of public funds.
The committee emphasized that Article 225 of the Constitution gives Parliament the authority to stop or suspend the disbursement of funds to county governments where misuse of public resources is suspected or confirmed.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang explained that the Constitution allows Parliament to suspend the release of county funds for up to 30 days, provided the Senate seeks and receives approval from the National Assembly.
He added that this power is meant to protect public money and ensure governors fully account for how funds are spent.
Kajwang recalled that in 2025, the Senate had passed a resolution to stop funding to several counties whose governors failed to explain the use of public funds.
However, he noted that the Constitutional Court later ruled that such action is only lawful if both the Senate and the National Assembly pass a joint resolution supporting the suspension.
“The intention is not to punish citizens,” Kajwang said, “but to temporarily stop cash disbursements to counties whose leaders refuse to account for the funds they receive, until proper audits and accountability processes are completed.”
The committee further stated that repeated failure by governors to honor summonses, or their habit of constantly requesting postponements, has pushed lawmakers to look for tougher and more effective measures to compel compliance.
CPAC said it is now considering the creation of “self-executing” rules that would automatically trigger penalties when governors ignore parliamentary summons.
These proposed guidelines would be developed in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and would clearly spell out the consequences of failing to appear before oversight committees.
The goal, according to the committee, is to ensure that all public officers take accountability obligations seriously.
Parliament also revealed that another option under discussion is the joint development of clear rules of procedure by CPAC and the Office of the Auditor-General.
These rules would consider legal, technical, and political factors involved in public accountability and make it easier to enforce compliance without unnecessary delays.
Governors are required to appear before Senate committees mainly to answer questions on county finances, clarify audit issues, and explain how budgets are implemented.
Lawmakers use these sessions to monitor spending, address concerns raised by auditors, and ensure county governments comply with national laws and financial regulations.
Parliament has warned that continued defiance by county leaders could lead to serious consequences, including temporary suspension of funding, as lawmakers intensify efforts to safeguard public resources and restore trust in county governance.
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