CoG Accuses Kajwang, Sifuna, Cherargei and Mwaruma of Extortion, Suspends CPAC Appearances

The Council of Governors has followed through on its threat to publicly name Senators it accuses of intimidating and attempting to extort Governors who appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee.

In a statement released after a meeting on Wednesday, the Council singled out four Senators: CPAC Chairperson Moses Kajwang, Vice Chairperson Johnes Mwaruma, Edwin Sifuna and Samson Cherargei. The governors alleged that the four have been notorious for misconduct during oversight sessions.

According to the Council, the Senators have engaged in extortion, political witch hunts, intimidation and harassment of Governors summoned before the committee. The CoG said the four lawmakers have been consistently cited in complaints raised by county chiefs over the conduct of CPAC proceedings.

Sen. Edwin Sifuna, Samson Cherargei and Moses Kajwang

As part of resolutions adopted during the meeting, the governors announced that they will no longer honour summons from the Senate County Public Accounts Committee until their concerns are fully addressed.

“Governors shall with immediate effect not appear before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee until the concerns raised herein are adequately and conclusively addressed,” the statement read.

Among the key demands tabled by the Council is the removal of the four Senators from the relevant oversight committees. The governors argued that this step is necessary to restore confidence, integrity and fairness in the accountability process.

“The Council demands the removal of the four named Senators from the affected committees as a prerequisite to restoring confidence, integrity and fairness in the oversight process,” the statement added.

The governors also called for the urgent convening of a structured engagement forum between the Senate leadership and the Council of Governors. They said the proposed talks should establish clear, transparent and respectful procedures for Governors appearing before Senate committees, and put in place safeguards against harassment, extortion and political persecution.