Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo has recently found himself at odds with the Senate after repeatedly ignoring summons to appear before its oversight committees.
His defiance culminated in a public declaration that he is unwilling to attend Senate sessions, which he claims are politically motivated.
This statement comes after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi directed the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to arrest and present Guyo before the Senate for non-compliance.
Governor Guyo has skipped several important Senate appearances, including those before the County Public Accounts Committee and the Senate Labour Committee.
His failure to respond to these summons has raised serious concerns among Senators about accountability, with many arguing that his behavior undermines the Senate’s constitutional oversight role.
In response, the Senate has issued a Ksh500,000 fine against him and is pushing for his arrest to ensure his appearance.
At the center of the Senate’s concerns are accusations of irregularities in employment practices within Isiolo County.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo brought these issues to light, seeking clarification on the county’s recruitment and payroll processes.
These inquiries are based on an Auditor General’s report, which highlighted severe financial mismanagement in Isiolo County, including non-remittance of statutory deductions and irregular payments to employees.
Despite these pressing issues, Governor Guyo has remained defiant.
He asserts that the matters raised by Senator Dullo are politically motivated and that he has already provided written responses.
He also stated that he would only appear before constitutional offices such as the Auditor General or the Controller of Budget, rejecting the Senate’s authority in what he perceives as politically charged investigations.
His stance has drawn criticism from various Senators, including Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, who labeled Guyo’s repeated refusals as a clear affront to Senate oversight.
The Senate has invoked its constitutional powers under Article 125, which gives it the authority to compel witnesses to appear before its committees.
The arrest warrant, combined with the fine, is part of a broader effort to ensure that Governor Guyo addresses the serious allegations facing his administration.
Some Senators, such as Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, have called for even more drastic measures, suggesting that the Isiolo County Assembly should consider impeachment if the governor continues to evade accountability.
This ongoing standoff between Governor Guyo and the Senate underscores a growing tension between county executives and the national oversight bodies, highlighting the challenges of devolution in Kenya.
The governor’s refusal to comply with Senate summons could have wider implications for Isiolo County, especially regarding the allocation of resources, as some Senators have suggested withholding funds until the matter is resolved.
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