Jitters As Sifuna Accuses CoG Chair of Threatening Governors Over Senate Summons

Edwin Sifuna has accused the Council of Governors chairman, Ahmed Abdullahi, of intimidating some county governors who are summoned to appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee.

He made the remarks during Senate proceedings on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, highlighting ongoing tensions between the Senate and some county leaders over accountability and audit queries.

Sifuna clarified that not all governors ignore the Senate summons. He said the problem arises with a few county chiefs who, under alleged influence from the CoG leadership, mislead other governors into avoiding the committee. 

According to him, these few governors are creating a false impression that attending the committee is optional, which undermines oversight efforts.

During the proceedings, Sifuna explained a specific incident where a county governor kept the Senate Public Accounts Committee members waiting.

He said she was on a phone call with CoG chairman Ahmed Abdullahi at the time.

According to Sifuna, the phone call involved threats against the governor, warning her not to appear before the committee.

He claimed the threats included unspecified consequences that could follow if the governor attended the meeting.

“This is not about all governors refusing to appear. A few are misleading others,” Sifuna said, emphasizing that the intimidation came from the CoG leadership.

He noted that such actions compromise the Senate’s constitutional role of overseeing public finances and holding county leaders accountable for the management of taxpayer money.

The Nairobi senator stressed that the Public Accounts Committee exists to examine audit reports, question county officials, and ensure that public resources are used properly.

Failure by governors to attend meetings not only delays investigations but also sends the wrong signal about transparency and accountability in county governments.

Sifuna warned that any attempts to interfere with the committee’s work or threaten governors summoned to appear could be seen as obstructing justice.

He urged county leaders to respect the legal process and attend committee meetings as required.

The accusations come amid rising tension between county governments and the Senate over adherence to oversight requirements.

Some governors have frequently delayed or ignored committee summons, citing various reasons, but Sifuna’s revelations suggest that external influence, particularly from the CoG, plays a role in these decisions.

Observers note that if the allegations are verified, the matter could strain relations between the Senate and the Council of Governors.

The CoG has traditionally coordinated county governments and represented their interests, but Sifuna’s statements suggest a possible conflict between county coordination and accountability obligations.