The relationship between Kenya’s devolved units and the Senate has hit a new low, with the Council of Governors (CoG) declaring a total boycott of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC). In an explosive statement from Kilifi, CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi accused specific senators of turning oversight hearings into "extortion rings" designed to humiliate and intimidate county bosses.

This allegation strikes at the heart of the Senate's constitutional mandate. By framing oversight as a cover for shakedowns, the Governors are not just refusing to appear; they are challenging the integrity of the entire accountability framework. If true, it suggests that the "watchdog" has become a predator.

The Extortion Allegations

"We note with concern the continuous and escalating extortion, political witch-hunt, and harassment," Abdullahi stated, flanked by defiant colleagues. The governors claim that appearances before the committee have ceased to be about audit queries and have instead become theaters for political grandstanding and rent-seeking. They singled out four unnamed senators as the ringleaders of this alleged harassment, demanding an independent investigation into their conduct.

The resolution is absolute: no Governor will appear before the CPAC until the committee is reconstituted and a "structured engagement" protocol is established. This standoff effectively paralyzes the Senate's ability to audit billions of shillings in county expenditure.

Re-writing the Rules of Engagement

Beyond the boycott, the Governors are unilaterally rewriting the terms of their accountability. They have resolved to appear only once per audit cycle before the Senate Public Investments Committee, rejecting the current practice of multiple summonses for different issues. They argue that the frequent trips to Nairobi are disruptive to service delivery and are often used to micromanage county affairs.

• The Accusation: Senators accused of using oversight for extortion and intimidation.
• The Boycott: Immediate suspension of all appearances before the CPAC.
• The Demand: Reconstitution of the committee and an investigation into the "notorious" four.

A Constitutional Crisis?

This move sets the stage for a bruising legal and political battle. The Senate has the constitutional power to summon, and ignoring these summonses has legal consequences. However, the Governors seem prepared to test this in court, threatening to seek a judicial interpretation of the scope of Senate oversight. For the wananchi, this clash of titans means less transparency and a delay in answering critical questions about how their taxes are being spent.