The committee wanted the governors to explain issues raised in the Auditor General’s report, but both leaders have been accused of skipping the hearings without valid reasons.
Kericho Governor Erick Mutahi and Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo are the two county leaders facing scrutiny.
The senators claim that the governors have consistently failed to attend the hearings despite receiving warnings.
The repeated absences have caused concern among lawmakers, who now consider imposing severe disciplinary measures.
Speaking during a Senate committee meeting on Friday, November 21, 2025, Committee Chairperson Moses Kajwang said the hearings will continue through late December.
He warned that governors who refuse to appear risk being charged with contempt of parliament.
“We must ensure that every governor invited to appear before the committee does so,” Kajwang said.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo and Kericho Governor Erick Mutahi have both written letters requesting the hearings be postponed.
Governor Mutahi sent a letter on the morning of November 21, citing unavoidable issues that prevented him from attending.
Similarly, Governor Guyo wrote to the committee on November 19 asking for a different hearing date.
Despite these letters, senators have stressed that only credible and justifiable reasons can excuse a governor from appearing.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua was particularly firm during the meeting. He said some governors think they can simply ignore summons whenever they want.
“This mischief where a governor thinks that they can just wake up in the morning and decide they are not appearing, we must stop it,” he said.
Wambua added that the committee’s goal is to complete the audits for the financial year under review before December 31, 2025.
The current scrutiny comes after both governors recently survived impeachment attempts in their counties.
Governor Guyo faced political challenges from Isiolo Members of County Assembly (MCAs). In June 2025, the Isiolo County Assembly impeached him over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.
However, the High Court later nullified the impeachment, allowing Guyo to remain in office.
Similarly, Governor Erick Mutahi faced two impeachment attempts in Kericho County. The most recent attempt was in August 2025.
The Senate dismissed the motions because they did not meet the required two-thirds majority needed to remove a governor.
These recent political events have intensified the pressure on both governors to attend Senate hearings and account for their counties’ financial management.
The Senate Accounts Committee is responsible for reviewing the Auditor General’s reports and ensuring that county governments use public funds properly.
When governors ignore summons, it slows down the audit process and can create doubts about accountability and transparency in county administrations.
Lawmakers argue that no governor should feel above the law or above parliamentary oversight.
Senator Kajwang warned other governors who have not yet appeared before the committee to prepare for summons.
He emphasized that the hearings will continue until the end of the year, and any governor who refuses to attend without a strong reason could face legal and parliamentary consequences.
The Council of Governors (CoG) has previously been involved in discussions with national leaders to address challenges in county administration.
However, the repeated defiance of some governors undermines efforts to strengthen governance at the county level.
This is why the Senate is now considering sanctions that could include fines, formal reprimands, or other measures to ensure compliance.
The public has also shown interest in the matter, as many Kenyans are concerned about the proper use of taxpayer money.
Cases like these affect public trust in both county governments and national oversight institutions. Citizens expect leaders to be accountable, especially when handling public resources.
Both Governor Mutahi and Governor Guyo have not publicly responded to the latest warnings, but political analysts say that ignoring parliamentary summons is a risky move. It could damage their reputations and affect their future political ambitions.
Some experts also warn that continuous delays in addressing audit queries may lead to stricter legal action, including potential criminal charges if negligence or mismanagement is proven.
Tags:
Counties