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The Council of Governors (CoG) has condemned the forceful handling of Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit during his appearance before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).
In a statement issued on April 2, CoG chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi accused members of the Senate of subjecting the governor to violence, terming the incident a violation of constitutional rights and an attack on the dignity of public office.
“The Council of Governors unequivocally condemns the shocking and unacceptable assault on Lelit Lati, the Governor of Samburu County, by members of the Senate of Kenya,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the incident not only demeans the dignity of the office of the governor as a head of government, but also violates constitutional protections on human dignity, respect and the peaceful conduct of public affairs.
“The Senate is established as an August House meant to protect the interests of county governments… It is disheartening that this very House has resorted to witch-hunting, harassment, violence and intimidation,” the statement read.
According to Abdullahi, such conduct undermines democratic norms and erodes public trust.
“At a time when intergovernmental relations demand dialogue and mutual respect, resorting to physical aggression reflects a dangerous erosion of democratic norms and a betrayal of the Kenyan people’s trust,” he said.
The governors have called on the Speaker of the Senate to take action against those involved and ensure accountability.
“We hold that the violent conduct against the Governor of Samburu County constitutes a criminal offence for which legal action will be pursued,” Abdullahi said.
Samburu Governor Lelit Lati, on his part, has vowed to file assault charges against Senators Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Eddy Oketch (Migori) and Richard Onyonka (Kisii), and said he will stay away from Senate proceedings until his safety is guaranteed.
The statement follows a scuffle after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi ordered the governor’s immediate arrest over his failure to appear before the committee on several occasions.
