NAIROBI– Isiolo County Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo has been fined Ksh. 500,000 for failing to appear before the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget.
The fine was imposed following Governor Guyo’s failure to honour a previous summon issued by the Senate to appear on 8th August 2024 to respond to questions regarding pending bills.
On Tuesday, Governor Guyo finally appeared before the Committee but his explanation for not attending the earlier meeting failed to convince the Senators.
During the heated session, he presented contradictory reasons for his failure further drawing the anger of the Lawmakers. Initially, in his official communication to the Senate, the Governor had claimed that he was unable to attend the August meeting because of an investors’ conference scheduled in Isiolo on the same date.
However, during his appearance before the Committee, he cited a completely different reason, claiming that widespread protests by Gen Z Youths in Nairobi on the day of the summon had hindered his ability to attend.
#Isiolo County Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo has been fined Ksh. 500,000 for not appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget.
This fine follows his failure to attend a summons on August 8, 2024, to address questions about pending bills.… pic.twitter.com/KDjPntL8VT
— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) October 22, 2024
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch expressed frustration with Governor Guyo’s shifting explanations, saying, “The Governor of Isiolo did not show up when summoned and gave contradicting statements. In his official letter to the Senate, he said that he could not make it because of an investors’ conference in Isiolo. But now he is saying that on August 8th, there was a Gen Z protest that stopped him and his staff from traveling to Nairobi.”
Members of the Committee were displeased with the Governor’s failure to provide a consistent explanation and accused him of disrespecting both the Senate and the people of Isiolo.
Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the importance of leadership accountability and dignity, reminding the Governor of his duty to honour such summons.
“Leadership and Integrity Act requires that you serve people with dignity and respect. This idea of disparaging the Senate is unacceptable,” Sen. Faki remarked, warning that such actions undermine the authority of the Senate and weaken the relationship between County Governments and the Senate.
The Governor’s troubles did not end there. Lawmakers found that he had also contravened the Senate Standing Orders by submitting responses on the material day instead of doing it one week before appearance as it is required.
The Committee members unanimously decided to refer the Governor’s submitted documents to the plenary of the Senate for further review.
Sen. Faki directed that a new date be set for the Governor to appear and respond appropriately to the questions raised by Sen. Dullo through her request.
