Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, his Nairobi counterpart Mike Sonko and twelve other governors face arrests, should they again fail to appear before the Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC).
The 14 governors, are expected to appear before the committee to explain the anomalies raised by Auditor General Edward Ouko, in which he flagged hundreds of millions had been lost during the 2014/2015 financial year.
Others mapped to appear include: Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a), Salim Mvurya (Kwale), Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Patrick Khaemba (Trans-Nzoia), Moses Lenolkulal (Samburu), Martin Wambora (Embu), John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot), Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), Abdi Mahamud (Wajir), Mohamud Ali (Marsabit) and Ali Korane (Garissa).
The Senate Committee vice chairman and Meru Senator Mithika Linturi has advised the governors to avoid the drama associated with being arrested and appear as summoned.
playA file photo of Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria and Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau (Courtesy)
“They (Governors) have no other option but to co-operate with us. It is sad that we had to issue summons as a last resort but that was the only thing we could do. The governors must accept to be held accountable,” said Mr Linturi.
The revived zeal to compel the governors to account for the finances disbursed to them comes on the heels of a heated debate after they (governors) requested to be protected from arrests while in office.
On Monday the council of Governors chairman and Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok demanded that the governors be given immunity as it is the case for the president, a move that has been opposed by a section of senators including Mutula Kilonzo Junior.
