Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu and Kitui Governor Julius Malombe made headlines on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by appearing before Senate committees despite a directive from the Council of Governors (CoG) to boycott such engagements. Their decision underscores ongoing tensions between county executives and national legislators over accountability and the constitutional role of parliamentary oversight.
Both leaders responded to separate summons from the Senate: Ntutu appeared before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) on queries from the Auditor-General’s report for the year ending June 30, 2025, while Malombe faced questions from the Public Investments and Special Funds Committee.
Governors Break Ranks With Council Directive
The CoG had earlier urged all governors to refrain from appearing before Senate committees, accusing senators of harassment, intimidation, and conducting what it termed political witch-hunts during oversight sessions. This stance was part of a broader dispute between county chiefs and national legislators, with county leaders alleging extortion and repeated humiliation in committee hearings.
However, Ntutu and Malombe chose to honour the Senate’s summons, a move that was welcomed by lawmakers who criticised the CoG’s directive as unconstitutional and unlawful. Senate leaders argued that boycotting oversight undermines transparency and accountability in how county funds are managed.
Senate Pushes Back
Senate oversight champions, including CPAC chairman Moses Kajwang’, dismissed the boycott call and reinforced the legislature’s constitutional mandate to examine county expenditures. Kajwang’ warned governors against attempting to undermine oversight processes, stressing that senators will hold county officials accountable where audit reports reveal mismanagement or misuse of public resources.
Other senators echoed this sentiment, saying that ignoring parliamentary summons can carry personal liability and that the Constitution does not allow selective compliance. Several lawmakers described the CoG’s boycott instruction as an attempt to shield leaders from scrutiny rather than engage constructively.
What This Means for Devolution and Accountability
The stand-off highlights deeper strains in Kenya’s devolved system, with governors seeking to protect county autonomy while the Senate insists on robust oversight to safeguard public finances. The refusal by certain governors to appear before committees in recent days has fuelled debate about respect for constitutional obligations versus concerns about procedural fairness.
As the impasse continues, the decisions by Ntutu and Malombe to engage with Senate committees could shape future interactions between county executives and national oversight bodies — particularly as fiscal accountability remains a key issue ahead of the next audit cycle.
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