Johnson Sakaja has strongly opposed efforts by police to arrest him over failure to appear before a Senate committee, terming the move “unwarranted and unnecessary.”
Arrest Order Sparks Standoff
The governor’s response follows an order linked to a Senate watchdog committee that found him in contempt of Parliament for failing to appear.
Police, led by Regional Commander Issa Mohamud, confirmed that officers had been deployed to locate Sakaja and present him before the Senate.
“We will look for him and do the needful. It is the dignity of the office that he presents himself,” Mohamud said.
‘Not a Personal Matter’
In a strongly worded statement, Sakaja insisted the issue is not personal but part of a broader institutional dispute involving the Council of Governors and the Senate of Kenya.
“The issue at hand is not a personal matter concerning Governor Sakaja but one that is being handled collectively by the Council of Governors,” he said.
He explained that his absence was based on guidance from the Council of Governors, which advised members not to appear before the specific committee until ongoing concerns are resolved.
Governors vs Senate Dispute
Sakaja revealed that the standoff extends beyond Nairobi, noting that 29 governors had been summoned on the same day, with only two appearing—and declining to address substantive matters.
He linked the dispute to allegations raised by governors against members of the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), including claims of extortion and intimidation.
Criticism of Police Action
The governor also questioned the timing and manner of the attempted arrest, criticising what he described as unnecessary drama.
“There is no justification for creating unnecessary drama or a show of force at night,” he said, adding that he had been available throughout the day.
Record of Senate Engagement
Sakaja maintained that he has consistently cooperated with Senate processes, citing recent appearances before the Lands and Environment Committee and previous engagements with CPAC on audit matters.
“It is misleading to single out one governor in a matter that is collective and consultative,” he added.
Call for Dialogue
Despite the escalating standoff, Sakaja signaled willingness to engage once the institutional issues are resolved, urging both sides to pursue dialogue.
He called on the Senate and the Council of Governors to resolve the impasse “amicably and respectfully,” warning against escalation through enforcement measures.
