Senators Gang Up On Samburu Governor Lelelit Amid Speaker Kingi's Order For His Arrest
The situation had escalated when Governor Lelelit was seen within the Parliament precincts despite an active warrant of arrest issued against him.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Drama ensued on Wednesday afternoon, April 1 outside Parliament buildings as Senators were captured cornering Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit, amidst Senate Speaker Amason Kingi ordering his immediate arrest and escort to the Parliament Police Station.
A video obtained by Vantage Ke showed senators who notably included Nairobi's Edwin Sifuna surrounding the county boss in an attempt to force him to the Senate's County Public Accounts Committee for grilling regarding the use of publicfunds.
Sifuna in the clip was seen verbally and angrily charging at an individual appearing to be Governor Lelelit's bodyguard, a matter that forced the governor to step in, though this escalated into a physical confrontation with Senators throwing hands in the melee.
Moments later, shouts of "anaenda wapi? (where is he going)" were heard with the governor seen turning back towards the way out, him followed by shouts of "shika yeye (catch him)" and the other senators, flanked by police officers in uniform, swiftly behind. The situation had escalated when Governor Lelelit was seen within the Parliament precincts despite an active warrant of arrest issued against him.
Photo of Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelelit. /JUDICIARY
The warrant followed his repeated failure to honour summons by the Senate’s watchdog committee, which had invited him multiple times to respond to audit-related queries.
At about 3:25pm, Speaker Kingi instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to move with speed and apprehend the governor after confirming he was on the premises. "In the meantime, I order the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort Governor Samburu if he is still within the premises of Parliament to the nearest police station," said Kingi.
Shortly before the directive, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot had risen on the floor of the House, calling on the Speaker to act without delay.
“This is a serious matter which we require your urgent attention on, Mr Speaker. And because I know these proceedings are being followed online, issue directives before the governor disappears and let him be taken to the police station here in Parliament,” Cheruiyot stated.
His remarks were swiftly supported by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, who faulted governors for allegedly disregarding Senate summons.
Wambua also took aim at Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, accusing him of openly defying summons and resisting arrest. “These games that are being played with Parliament must be brought to an end. The only person that can bring that game to an end is you, the Speaker of the Senate of Kenya,” said Wambua.
Reports show that at the time the order was issued, Governor Lelelit had been addressing the media outside Parliament buildings. Moments earlier, he had arrived to engage Senate leadership in an attempt to forestall possible arrest over his failure to appear before the committee.
The Senate watchdog committee, which oversees county governments, has recently raised concern over the persistent absence of several governors, terming it a direct affront to the authority of the Senate.
The development comes barely a day after police officers were stationed outside Governor Sakaja’s office at City Hall in a bid to arrest him over repeated failure to honour Senate summons.
