CoG Condemns Alleged Assault on Samburu Governor, Calls for Legal Action

The Council of Governors (CoG) has strongly condemned an alleged assault on Samburu Governor Jonathan Lati Lelelit, describing the incident as “shocking and unacceptable.” The confrontation reportedly involved members of the Senate during a dispute over the governor’s attendance at committee meetings.

In a statement released on April 2, CoG chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi said the incident was “an affront to the dignity of the office of governor and a threat to constitutionalism and the rule of law.” He added, “This demonstration of hooliganism not only demeans the dignity of the public office of the Governor as a Head of Government, but strikes at the very heart of constitutionalism and the rule of law.”

The CoG accused some senators of resorting to “witch-hunting, harassment, violence and intimidation” instead of following lawful oversight mechanisms under the Constitution and Senate Standing Orders. Governors said the Senate should protect county governments while respecting established legal processes. The council called on the Speaker of the Senate to publicly condemn the senators involved and to fast-track resolution of grievances raised against members of the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).

Lelelit explained that the altercation occurred after he left Parliament when senators approached him over alleged failure to honor summons. “I was initially unaware of the warrant issued against me while I had been out of network in Samburu North,” he said. He added that he had received simultaneous summons for CPAC and the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee (CPIC), and he opted to attend the latter, explaining the conflict to the Clerk of the Senate, who acknowledged it.

The council warned that the assault may constitute a criminal offense and signaled that legal action could follow against anyone found responsible. CoG urged restraint, emphasizing that state actors must uphold human rights, accountability, and the rule of law. The council stressed that preserving constitutional order is critical to maintaining the integrity of public institutions.

The incident has reignited debate over the proper conduct of Senate oversight and the protection of county officials. Governors argue that political disputes should not undermine institutional processes or threaten elected leaders. “We strongly urge the Speaker of the Senate to condemn the Senators involved… and expedite mechanisms for speedy resolution of concerns raised by the Council of Governors,” the statement concluded.