Chaos at Senate as Samburu Governor Leleit Clashes with Sifuna, Storms Out of CPAC Session

Jonathan Lati Lelelit clashed with senators. Photo: Edwin Sifuna, Jonathan Lati Lelelit, Richard Onyonka.

Tension flared outside the Senate chambers on Wednesday, April 1, after Samburu Governor Jonathan Leleit was involved in a dramatic confrontation with lawmakers amid a growing standoff between governors and the Senate.

Leleit had appeared before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) on Wednesday, April 1, alongside his officials to respond to audit queries.

However, he walked out moments into the session, triggering a heated reaction from senators.

Led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, senators pursued the governor and attempted to force him back into the chambers to continue with the proceedings. The situation quickly escalated into a physical standoff.

Sifuna criticised the governor for what he termed a lack of preparedness, saying Leleit claimed he could not proceed because he had forgotten his eyeglasses needed to read documents.

“A governor comes with poor records and then says he cannot read them because he forgot his glasses. Who is embarrassing whom?” Sifuna posed, questioning the governor’s conduct.

Outside the chambers, the confrontation nearly turned chaotic as the governor’s security team blocked senators from dragging him back inside.

A brief scuffle ensued, with pushing and shouting witnessed as both sides stood their ground.

The incident comes against the backdrop of an ongoing dispute between governors and the Senate over accountability sessions.

In recent days, several governors have either skipped or resisted appearing before CPAC, accusing the committee of harassment and intimidation.

Some county bosses have openly declared they will not honour Senate summons, arguing that the process is politically driven and unfair.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, for instance, recently stated he would not appear before the committee, escalating the standoff. After a warrant of arrest was issued against him, he eventually appeared before the committee.

On their part, senators have maintained that governors must honour summons and respond to audit queries, insisting the oversight role of the Senate is constitutionally mandated.