Dramatic scenes unfolded in the capital Monday evening after police officers stormed City Hall in a failed attempt to arrest Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who is now reportedly on the run following a Senate-issued warrant for contempt of Parliament.
According to Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud, officers were acting on a lawful arrest order issued by a Senate watchdog committee after Sakaja allegedly snubbed multiple summons to answer audit queries.
Police arrived at City Hall late Monday but failed to apprehend the governor, who is believed to have narrowly escaped moments before their arrival, raising suspicions that he may have been tipped off about the impending operation.
“We will not relent. We are conducting a night operation to ensure he is arrested and presented before the Senate by tomorrow,” Mohamud said, signaling an escalation in efforts to track down the embattled county boss.
The arrest warrant stems from proceedings by a Senate oversight committee tasked with examining financial and administrative conduct within county governments. Lawmakers had summoned Sakaja to respond to audit concerns, but he reportedly failed to appear, prompting the committee to invoke its constitutional powers to compel attendance.
The Senate has increasingly taken a hardline stance against governors who ignore its summons, warning that failure to comply undermines parliamentary oversight and accountability in the management of public resources.
In a related development, police have also been directed to arrest Samburu Governor Jonathan Lati Lelelit, who similarly failed to honour Senate summons.
Mohamud confirmed that officers are actively pursuing both governors, suggesting that the crackdown could widen if more county chiefs are found in contempt of Parliament.
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