Governors accuse Senators of extortion; threaten to boycott Senate

By Newsflash Reporter

Governors have outlined what they describe as an elaborate extortion scheme allegedly used by senators, involving the office of the chairperson of the Senate’s County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAIC), who is also Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’.

Speaking during a tough press conference at the close of their two-day retreat in Kilifi on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the governors said it has become routine that whenever a governor is summoned to appear before the Senate, they are first required to report to the chairperson’s office before the official session begins. It is at this preliminary meeting, they alleged, that bribes are demanded for the session to proceed.

Bribe demands before Senate sessions

The governors claimed that failure to meet the alleged demands often leads to hostile committee sittings. According to them, once a governor refuses to comply, the sessions degenerate into confrontational exchanges, with senators and governors engaging in what they termed as mock grilling instead of substantive oversight.

Council of Governors Vice Chairperson Muthomi Njuki said it is unheard of for some committee members to demand prior meetings, yet the invitation letters clearly stipulate the venue, agenda, and procedures for the sessions. He insisted that such demands fall outside Senate rules and established protocols.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati, agreeing that the demands for money are rampant, accused some senators of taking bribes from governors and then failing to act as agreed. He vowed to publicly call out senators involved in the alleged extortion.

Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, who is also the Wajir Governor, has written to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi—himself a former governor—seeking an official and candid meeting to address the issues raised. Abdullahi said the governors are ready to table raw evidence of the alleged extortion and name those involved during the meeting.

Governors defy Senate summons

In the meantime, the governors have insisted they will not appear before Senate committees until they hold talks with the Senate leadership.

Former Senate Speaker and current Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka said he fully understands the workings of the Senate, noting that he had dealt with similar cases during his tenure as Speaker and as chair of the Powers and Privileges Committee.

Lusaka said he is not making wild claims, insisting that he has firsthand knowledge of extortion allegations involving some senators.

The governors maintained that they possess overwhelming evidence to back their claims. They further argued that, by law, it is cheaper for governors not to appear before committee meetings than to attend sessions only to face alleged bribe demands and public humiliation.