Lusaka to Senators: Oversight should be dignified

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has called for the restoration of the dignity and integrity of the Senate, warning that the House risks losing its credibility due to what he termed political witch-hunts, extortion and intimidation of governors appearing before its committees.

Speaking during a joint press briefing by the Council of Governors (CoG) at an ongoing retreat in Kilifi County, Lusaka, who is the immediate former Senate Speaker, said the Senate, a constitutionally respected House of law, was gradually “losing its spark” as a result of the conduct of a few members, particularly within the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

“We are not refusing to be accountable, but there are issues that are taking the Senate down to the lowest level,” Lusaka said.

The governor stressed that county chiefs are not shying away from scrutiny, but are demanding respect and fairness when they honour Senate summons to respond to audit queries.

“Governors want to be heard and treated as respectable leaders. We are ready to substantiate our allegations regarding political witch-hunts, extortion and intimidation by a few Senators in the Public Accounts Committee,” he said.

Drawing from his experience as a former Senate Speaker between 2017 and 2022, Lusaka said the Senate was originally designed to protect devolution and its leaders, not to subject them to harassment and malice.

He cited his recent appearance before the Senate PAC, arguing that oversight committees should operate strictly within the law and desist from victimising governors through what he described as twisted statements that tarnish their reputations.

“The Senate, which is supposed to protect leaders, has now turned into a platform for political witch-hunts and malice,” Lusaka said.

He further revealed that governors were contemplating paying statutory penalties for failing to appear before the Senate PAC, terming them cheaper compared to the alleged exorbitant monetary demands made during committee engagements.

Lusaka urged the Senate to return to its original mode of interaction anchored on mutual respect, lawful oversight and professionalism.

“Protect the dignity of leaders. The Senate must go back to its original form of engagement , oversight, not intimidation,” he said.