A Senate watchdog committee has fined Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo Sh500,000 for skipping summons.
The County Public Accounts Committee also asked Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to arrest Guyo and force him to appear before the panel to answer audit queries.
The committee members had traveled to Isiolo to question the governor.
However, Guyo, in a quick rejoinder, defended himself, accusing the committee of being used to fight local political wars.
“I’m ready to be accountable to the great people of Isiolo and the people of Kenya. But I will not appear before a committee which has been weaponised and reduced to a political tool,” he said.
Guyo said the panel is being used by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo to settle their political scores.
“The panel members should be responsible, but as things stand, they have become reckless and a mouthpiece of the Isiolo senator and I’m not going to agree to that,” he told the Star.
Chairman Moses Kajwang’ said Guyo's actions fell short of their expectations and of Constitution.
He said the committee will summon the governor again on a later date.
The Homa Bay Senator said if the governor does not show up, then they will push for the dissolution of the county or stoppage of funds as provided for in the Constitution.
The committee traveled to Isiolo after the governor sought postponements to appear in Nairobi, at least five times.
During the visit, all the county officers including, assembly Speaker, clerk and all the MCAs were absent in the assembly precincts.
“We register our reservation on the conduct of the assembly,” Kajwang’ said, adding that the assembly could have benefitted from the presence of the committee.
Deputy Governor James Lowasa was reportedly in the office but left after learning that the senators had landed.
Guyo said he had informed the committee that he will not be around and requested to reschedule the meeting.
“I was not the governor during the year in which the report they want to question me about was released,” he said.
“The Senate should not become a tool for senators who want to be governors. They should deal with issues, not petty and local politics.”
He said he will not succumb to ‘blackmail and intimidation’ by the Senate committee.
“I will not be intimidated by the political tactics and blackmail. The senator for Isiolo should know that I was elected by the people of Isiolo whom I’m accountable to. I will not be blackmailed,” he said.
Kajwang’ denied allegations that his committee was being used to fight political wars and urged the governor to go beyond personality conflicts and local politics and deliver on his promise.
“Our interest is accountability and other issues that can be substantiated,” Kajwang’ said.
