Senate Speaker Amason Kingi ordered the immediate arrest of Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit after he was spotted inside Parliament buildings despite an active arrest warrant. The directive came during a Senate session at around 3:25pm on April 1, 2026. The order escalates a standoff between senators and governors over audit summons.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit and escort him to Parliament Police Station after confirming his presence in the buildings. "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," Kingi said.
Prior to the order, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot urged swift action. "This is a serious matter which we require your urgent attention on, Mr Speaker... issue directives before the governor disappears and let him be taken to the police station here in Parliament," Cheruiyot stated. Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua supported him, accusing governors of defying Senate summons and citing Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja's resistance.
Governor Lelelit was addressing the press outside Parliament when the order was issued, having just arrived to meet Senate leadership to avert arrest. The Senate's county oversight committee expressed frustration over governors' repeated absences for audit queries.
Council of Governors Chair Ahmed Abdullahi criticized the arrests, warning they threaten the rule of law amid bribery allegations against committee members. He noted 29 governors were summoned but only two attended, reaffirming commitment to accountability while opposing what he called discriminatory enforcement.
