Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on Wednesday ordered the immediate arrest of Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit after he was spotted within Parliament buildings despite an active warrant issued against him.
The dramatic incident unfolded at around 3:25pm when Speaker Kingi directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to apprehend the governor and escort him to the Parliament Police Station.
“In the meantime, I order the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the Governor of Samburu, if he is still within the premises of Parliament, to the nearest police station,” Kingi ruled.
The arrest warrant stems from Governor Lelelit’s repeated failure to appear before a Senate watchdog committee to respond to audit queries, despite multiple summons.
Moments before the directive, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot urged swift action. “This is a serious matter which requires your urgent attention, Mr Speaker… issue directives before the governor disappears,” he said.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua backed the move, criticizing governors for defying Parliament. “These games being played with Parliament must come to an end. The only person who can stop it is you, Mr Speaker,” he stated.
Reports indicate that Governor Lelelit had arrived at Parliament to engage Senate leadership and was addressing the press outside when the arrest order was issued.
The Senate watchdog committee has expressed frustration over the continued absence of several governors, terming it an affront to its oversight role.
The incident comes a day after similar enforcement action targeted Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over failure to honour Senate summons.
The arrest marks a significant escalation in the Senate’s efforts to enforce accountability among county leaders.
DCI Amin remains lawfully in office, IG Kanja says
