IG Kanja Ordered to Produce Governor Sakaja Before Senate by Monday
The Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) has issued a firm directive to Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, ordering him to ensure that Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja appears before the committee on Monday, March 30.
While addressing the committee, CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang made it clear that the order must be treated with urgency.
He emphasized that there should be no excuses from the police boss, pointing out that the distance between the Inspector General’s office and Nairobi City Hall is short and manageable.
According to Kajwang, producing the governor should not be a difficult task compared to more remote operations.
Kajwang further warned that if Governor Sakaja fails to appear before the committee within the given timeline, the committee will take serious action.
This includes passing a resolution declaring the governor unfit to hold public office due to what they would consider a gross violation of the Constitution.
Such a resolution would then be forwarded to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for further consideration and possible action.
At the same time, the committee has already taken disciplinary steps against the Nairobi governor. Members agreed to impose a fine of KSh 500,000, which is the maximum penalty allowed by law, after Sakaja failed to honour a Senate summons.
The committee described his absence as a serious disregard for parliamentary oversight and accountability processes.
The Senate committee is currently seeking answers from the governor regarding audit queries raised in the 2024/2025 financial year. These queries are part of the Auditor General’s review of how public funds were used within Nairobi County.
Lawmakers insist that Sakaja must personally appear to respond to the concerns and clarify any issues raised in the report.
During a session with county officials, the committee also revealed details about staffing within the governor’s office. It emerged that Governor Sakaja has at least seven advisors, each reportedly earning an average monthly salary of KSh 203,000.
This revelation raised further concerns among senators about expenditure and the management of public resources in the county government.
Due to the governor’s continued absence, the committee has indicated that it may proceed without his input. Members stated that if Sakaja fails to appear again, they will adopt the Auditor General’s report in its current form.
This would mean that Nairobi County remains flagged for financial irregularities and possible misappropriation of public funds, as identified in the report prepared by the Office of the Auditor-General.
This is not the first time Governor Sakaja has failed to attend Senate proceedings. On several previous occasions, he has skipped scheduled appearances, sometimes sending formal requests to have the sessions postponed.
However, senators now appear to be losing patience, insisting that accountability cannot be delayed indefinitely.
The standoff between governors and the Senate is part of a wider issue that has been developing over time. In February 2026, several county leaders collectively resolved to boycott summons issued by CPAC.
Through the Council of Governors (CoG), they accused Senate committees of subjecting them to intimidation and public humiliation during oversight sessions.
According to the Council, some governors felt that the manner in which they were questioned undermined their dignity and the authority of their offices.
They cited instances where county chiefs were allegedly embarrassed in public while responding to audit concerns, leading to growing tension between the two levels of government.
In addition to Sakaja, the committee has summoned 29 other governors to appear before it. Senators have warned that failure by any of them to honour the summons will attract strict consequences.
The committee is prepared to seek intervention from Senate leadership to sanction those who defy the directive, including possible contempt proceedings.
The unfolding situation highlights the ongoing struggle between oversight institutions and county governments, raising important questions about accountability, governance, and respect for constitutional processes in Kenya.
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