Speaker Amason Kingi on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Samburu Governor Jonathan Lati Lelelit after he repeatedly failed to honor summons to appear before the County Public Accounts Committee on audit queries related to Samburu County expenditure.
The directive triggered tense scenes at Parliament buildings, where senators moved to enforce accountability by compelling the governor’s appearance. Lelelit had been summoned several times but failed to comply.
According to Senate proceedings, the governor was later spotted within the precincts of Parliament despite an active arrest warrant, prompting immediate action from the Speaker.
At around 3.25pm (EAT), Kingi instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to apprehend and escort the governor to the nearest police station.
“I order the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the Governor of Samburu, if within Parliament, to the nearest police station,” Kingi said during the session.
The order followed mounting pressure from lawmakers, led by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who urged swift enforcement measures to deter what he described as growing defiance by county leaders.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua backed the call, criticizing governors who ignore Senate summons and warning that such conduct undermines parliamentary authority. The incident reflects broader tensions between the Senate and devolved units over oversight responsibilities.
Confrontation at Parliament
Witnesses described chaotic moments as senators, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, physically escorted Lelelit toward the committee. Reports indicated the governor attempted to evade the process, leading to near altercations involving his security team and parliamentary officers.
Sifuna condemned the governor’s actions, accusing him of disregarding Senate authority by appearing within Parliament precincts and addressing the media instead of complying with formal procedures.
“When summoned, governors are expected to appear before specific committees on scheduled dates. It is unacceptable for anyone to ignore that process,” Sifuna said.
The standoff highlights increasing friction between lawmakers and county executives, particularly over financial accountability and audit compliance.
The Senate has intensified scrutiny of county governments amid concerns over misuse of public funds. Analysts say the move to enforce arrest signals a tougher stance on compliance.
The developments also come as other governors face similar scrutiny, raising questions about adherence to constitutional oversight mechanisms.
Kingi’s directive underscores the Senate’s determination to assert its authority and ensure accountability across devolved units, even as tensions continue to rise.