The County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) is exploring alternative legal measures to compel governors to appear before Parliament and account for funds allocated to their counties, in line with constitutional oversight provisions.

In recent days, the Committee has expressed frustration as several governors, allegedly with the support of the National Police Service, have failed to honour summons, undermining Parliament’s oversight role.

On Monday, January 26, 2026, Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit failed to appear before the Committee, choosing instead to attend the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Governing Council meeting at State House, Nairobi.

Similarly, on Tuesday, January 27, Governors Abdi Guyo (Isiolo) and Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa) were absent as the Committee began examining county financial statements for the 2024/25 financial year.

While Governor Nassir did not give any explanation for his absence, Governor Guyo sought a postponement, citing insecurity in his county. He claimed to have joined the County Security Committee in visiting victims of recent bandit attacks in affected areas.

The failure by the three governors to appear, however, exposed what members termed the soft underbelly of the accountability framework and the daily challenges facing the Committee—an explanation the lawmakers rejected.

Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo dismissed Governor Guyo’s claims, arguing that a governor does not sit in the County Security Committee.

“His presence there, even if true, is questionable. He cannot pick up a gun to fight attackers,” she said.

Senator Dullo further questioned the seriousness of the request for postponement, noting that the letter was authored by the County Secretary and merely copied to the governor.

“There is a total lack of seriousness on the part of the governor to appear before this Committee. His letter is a mere public relations stunt,” she said, adding that Isiolo County is grappling with poor service delivery.

The repeated absences have prompted the watchdog Committee to consider mechanisms to compel governors to explain how billions of shillings allocated to devolved units are spent.

One option under consideration is Article 225 of the Constitution, which empowers Parliament to stop disbursement of funds to public entities where misuse of public resources is established.

In 2025, the Senate passed a resolution to halt disbursements to several counties whose governors had failed to account for public funds. However, the Constitutional Court later ruled that such a stoppage is only admissible where both Houses of Parliament pass a concurrent resolution.

Senator Moses Kajwang’ has proposed invoking Article 223 of the Constitution, which allows the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury to authorise expenditure subject to subsequent parliamentary approval.

According to Senator Kajwang’, the Senate could rely on this provision to pass a resolution suspending the release of funds to county governments for up to 30 days while seeking concurrence from the National Assembly.

“The purpose is to stop cash disbursement to counties that do not want to account for the funds they have received until the audit process is completed,” Senator Kajwang’ said, arguing that this is the most effective way to compel governors to appear before the Committee.

Another option under consideration is the development of clear rules of procedure jointly by CPAC and the Office of the Auditor-General, taking into account the legal, technical, and political realities of public accountability.

The Committee believes such rules would clearly outline how entities are summoned and the consequences of failing to comply.

“The rules will be self-executing,” Senator Kajwang’ said.