By KPC Reporter
Devolution is facing turbulence after the Council of Governors (CoG) accused senators of running an elaborate bribery scheme, even as the Senate moved to strengthen its oversight role.
At the close of a two-day retreat in Kilifi, governors alleged that members of the Senate’s County Public Accounts and Investments Committee, chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, routinely demand bribes before sessions begin.
According to CoG Vice Chairperson Muthomi Njuki, governors are often compelled to visit the chairperson’s office prior to hearings, where money is allegedly solicited.
“It is unheard of that some members of the committee demand prior meetings yet it is stipulated correctly in the letters inviting governors to the venue and the meeting,” Njuki said.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati echoed the claims, accusing senators of taking money from governors without honouring agreements.
“They take money from governors yet they do not act as agreed. I will call them out,” Arati declared.
Abdullahi confirmed that he has written to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi seeking a candid meeting to address the allegations.
He pledged to table evidence of extortion and insisted governors would not appear before Senate committees until the matter is resolved.
Former Senate Speaker and now Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka backed the claims, saying he had encountered similar cases during his tenure.
 “I am not a mad person to say I know of the extortion. I dealt with some members’ cases when I was Speaker,” Lusaka remarked.
Meanwhile, the Senate has brushed off the boycott threats, approving the membership of the House Business Committee and vowing to hold governors accountable.
Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who tabled the motion, and Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, who seconded it, insisted that governors must comply with constitutional requirements.
Senators including Edwin Sifuna, Boni Khalwale, Samson Cherarkey, and Okiya Omtatah dismissed the governors’ claims as baseless.
“The appearance of governors before Senate committees is a constitutional requirement. Those unwilling to comply with the rule of law should vacate office,” senators warned.
Speaker Kingi reiterated that the Senate would exercise all its constitutional powers to ensure accountability in county governments.
The House unanimously endorsed members to the Business Committee, signalling its resolve to continue grilling governors despite the standoff.
The clash has set the stage for a high-stakes confrontation between the two arms of devolution, with governors insisting they have “overwhelming evidence” of extortion, and senators determined to press ahead with oversight.