Wetang’ula Calls for Tough Criminal Action Against Governors Who Ignore Parliament Summons

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has intensified pressure on county leaders by demanding the immediate introduction of criminal penalties for governors who refuse to appear before parliamentary committees when summoned.

He warned that governors who continue ignoring Parliament risk facing legal consequences, as the long-running dispute over accountability for public funds continues to grow more serious across the country.

Wetang’ula said the increasing cases of governors failing to honour summons—especially when asked to respond to reports from the Auditor-General involving billions of shillings allocated to counties—undermine transparency, democratic oversight, and public trust in government institutions.

Parliament insists on accountability for public money

Speaking during a youth empowerment event held in Mabera, Kuria West Constituency in Migori County on Friday, April 17, the Speaker made it clear that Parliament will not back down from its constitutional role of supervising how public funds are used.

He stressed that leaders entrusted with large public resources must be ready to explain their decisions and spending. According to him, accountability is not optional, especially when dealing with taxpayer money.

Wetang’ula stated, “For whom much is given, much more is expected. You cannot receive billions of taxpayers’ money and then refuse to explain how it has been spent.”

He also issued a firm directive to all 47 county governors, insisting that they must comply with parliamentary summons and present themselves whenever required to account for county expenditures.

Push for legal consequences against defiance

The Speaker further warned that continued refusal by governors to attend parliamentary committees would no longer be treated lightly. He said Parliament is now considering stronger legal enforcement measures, including criminal sanctions, to ensure compliance.

In a significant move, Wetang’ula assigned Otiende Amollo, who is also a Senior Counsel, the responsibility of leading the development of the proposed legal framework targeting governors who ignore parliamentary oversight.

He emphasized that governors are not owners of public funds but custodians who are legally and morally obligated to account for every shilling they manage on behalf of citizens.

Rising tension between governors and oversight institutions

These remarks come at a time when tensions between county leaders and national oversight bodies are already high.

The Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) recently ordered the arrest of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelelit after they failed to appear before the committee despite repeated summons.

The move triggered a strong reaction from the Council of Governors, which accused authorities of using forceful and punitive methods against county leaders.

The Council demanded the immediate withdrawal of arrest warrants, arguing that such actions risk damaging cooperation between national and county governments.

Council chair Ahmed Abdullahi insisted that any legal or disciplinary action against governors must follow proper procedures and be based on verified evidence, warning against what he described as politically driven intimidation.

Governors protest alleged mistreatment

The Council of Governors also raised concerns about how some county leaders are treated during Senate oversight sessions, claiming that the process sometimes involves humiliation and pressure tactics.

They said governors would reconsider attending such sessions until their concerns are properly addressed.

Despite the standoff, Governor Johnson Sakaja later appeared before the committee. During the session, he was questioned on several issues, including allegations related to financial management in Nairobi County and the hiring of multiple advisors earning high salaries.

The ongoing dispute highlights a growing struggle between county governments and Parliament over accountability, oversight powers, and the limits of political authority in managing public funds.

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