A constitutional crisis is looming as Senate Speaker Amason Kingi draws a line in the sand, warning governors that boycotting parliamentary oversight committees will not be tolerated.

In a strongly worded rebuke that escalates the simmering tensions between the devolution chiefs and the Senate, Kingi dismissed the Council of Governors\` (CoG) allegations of harassment as a smokescreen for avoiding accountability. His declaration reasserts the Senate\`s absolute mandate under Article 96 of the Constitution to protect public funds allocated to counties, signalling that the days of treating audit queries as optional inconveniences are over.

The Oversight Standoff

The conflict erupted after the CoG, led by Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, directed county bosses to snub invitations from the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC). [...](asc_slot://start-slot-7)The governors accused senators of turning audit sessions into "political witch-hunts," alleging extortion and intimidation by committee members. Kingi, however, termed these claims "unsubstantiated mudslinging" designed to derail the audit cycle.

• The Constitutional Imperative: Kingi reminded the county chiefs that Article 229 requires Parliament to dispose of audit reports within three months. "Compliance with this timeline is not optional," he stated. "Any action that impedes this process undermines the very essence of devolution."
• Structured Dialogue vs. Boycott: While acknowledging the need for decorum, the Speaker insisted that grievances must be channelled through established institutional frameworks, not through press conferences or boycotts. He opened the door for structured dialogue but firmly shut it on impunity.

Allegations of Extortion and Political Theater

The war of words has revealed the deep-seated mistrust between the two levels of government. Governors claim that specific senators are using the committees to settle political scores or demand bribes to "clear" adverse audit queries. Conversely, senators argue that governors are resorting to blackmail to hide the rampant misappropriation of billions in county funds.

Senator Moses Kajwang’, chair of the CPAC, remained defiant, warning that the committee would not "massage" the egos of governors who fail to account for public resources. "If you come with embarrassing documents, do not expect us to save you from embarrassment," he quipped during a heated session at the Senate.

The Stakes for Devolution

This standoff places the financial integrity of Kenya’s 47 counties at risk. Without Senate oversight, the checks and balances envisioned by the 2010 Constitution crumble, potentially opening the floodgates for unchecked graft. As the deadline for reviewing the Auditor General\`s reports approaches, the public waits to see who will blink first: the governors protecting their turf, or the Senate defending its constitutional soul.

Kingi’s ultimatum is clear: appear before the committees and account for every shilling, or face the full legal consequences of defying parliamentary summons. The Senate has signaled it is ready to invoke its powers to compel attendance, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal and political showdown.