Governors Issue Warning After Senate Drama Involving Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit

The Council of Governors (CoG) has strongly criticised the alleged rough handling of Samburu Governor Jonathan Lati Lelelit during a dramatic confrontation linked to members of the Senate.

In a statement released on Thursday, April 2, the council described the incident as a serious violation of constitutional order, respect for public office, and the rule of law.

According to the statement signed by CoG Chair Ahmed Abdullahi, the governors said the incident went beyond a personal clash and instead touched on the dignity of the governor’s office as a symbol of county leadership.

They argued that such actions undermine the respect expected in public institutions and weaken confidence in constitutional processes.

The council further noted that the alleged violence was not only unacceptable but also a direct attack on the rights and protections guaranteed under Kenya’s Constitution.

The governors also raised concern over the way Senate oversight is currently being carried out, saying the process must remain within the limits of the law and established parliamentary procedures.

They accused some members of turning the oversight role into a tool of intimidation, harassment, and what they termed political witch-hunting. In their view, accountability must always be exercised in a lawful, respectful, and transparent manner that protects the dignity of all public offices.

In their strongly worded response, the CoG called on Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to publicly condemn the senators said to have been involved in the altercation.

They also urged the Speaker to fast-track the resolution of concerns previously raised by governors regarding some members of the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), saying the ongoing tensions risk damaging the working relationship between county governments and the Senate.

The council went a step further by warning that the conduct witnessed during the incident could amount to a criminal offence.

They signalled that legal action may be taken against any individuals found responsible, adding that justice must be pursued to protect institutional integrity and restore public confidence in democratic oversight processes.

Governor Lelelit explained that the confrontation happened shortly after he had left Parliament buildings, when several senators approached him over allegations that he had failed to honour a Senate summons.

What began as a verbal exchange reportedly escalated into a heated physical scuffle, drawing public attention and deepening the growing standoff between governors and senators.

The dispute comes at a time when Senate committees have intensified pressure on governors who fail to appear before them to answer audit concerns raised by the Auditor General.

In Lelelit’s case, a committee had already directed that he be arrested and presented before it after he allegedly failed to attend previous sessions meant to address financial accountability questions.

However, Governor Lelelit defended himself by saying he was initially unaware that a warrant of arrest had been issued because he had been in Samburu North, an area where he reportedly had limited network coverage.

Once he received the information, he said he immediately wrote to the Clerk of the Senate seeking clarification on how the warrant had been issued and under what circumstances. This explanation, he said, was part of his effort to cooperate with the process while also seeking fairness.

He further revealed that part of the confusion arose after he received two separate summonses from different Senate committees, both scheduled for the same time.

One meeting was with the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), while the other was with the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee (CPIC).

Faced with the clash, Lelelit said he chose to attend the CPIC meeting because he had not yet submitted written responses to the issues before that committee.

The governor added that he formally communicated the scheduling conflict to the Clerk of the Senate, who acknowledged the overlap and reportedly assured him that his submissions would also be shared with the other committee.

This, according to Lelelit, shows that he had not ignored the summonses deliberately, but was instead caught in an administrative mix-up that later spiralled into a major political and legal confrontation.

The latest standoff now highlights the growing tension between county governments and the Senate over the manner in which oversight powers are being exercised.

As both sides dig in, the incident is likely to raise fresh debate on how accountability can be enforced without crossing legal and constitutional boundaries.

Join Kenya Govt Official WhatsApp Channel to stay updated on time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30