A Senate committee issued a warrant of arrest for Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo on Tuesday, October 1, over his failure to honour committee summons.
The Senate Labour Committee, chaired by Julius Murgor, issued the warrant after Guyo did not appear before the committee to address queries from Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo regarding the recruitment and employment status of staff in the county.
“As a committee, we have resolved that the Governor should pay Sh500,000 fine from his pocket and he should be arrested and brought before the committee,” said Murgor.
The directive follows ongoing backlash against the Governor for his repeated failures to attend summons from various Senate committees, including the Health Committee.
Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki observed the Governor's conduct, supporting the chair’s directive.
“It is now upon the Inspector General of Police to bring him before the committee,” Faki said.
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Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba faulted Guyo for his absence and questioned his development record.
“If we are unable to get him as a committee, then his people haven’t probably seen him for years. He should be arrested and produced here in the interest of devolution,” Orwoba remarked.
“He is a repeat offender and we should not be lenient. Let us issue the warrant,” she added.
Embu Senator Alex Mundigi maintained that the summons would ensure the Governor respects future summons.
In response to the committee’s actions, Guyo noted he had submitted written responses to the issues raised by Dullo. “I have sent written responses to the committee. If the committee is not satisfied, they are free to write to me,” he said.
Guyo, however, stated he would not appear before the committee to address what he termed “political statements” made by Dullo.
“It’s not possible for me to come to the Senate to respond to political statements by Dullo. I will come to the Senate to respond to issues raised by constitutional offices like the office of the Auditor General and Controller of Budget,” he explained.
The warrant of arrest will be prepared by the Clerk of the Senate and signed by Murgor in his capacity as chair. The Inspector General of Police and the Director of Public Prosecution will be tasked with presenting the Governor before the committee to answer the queries.
According to the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, the Governor risks jail time, a Sh500,000 fine, or both.
“Where a witness summoned does not appear, or appears but fails to satisfy the relevant House of Parliament or committee, the relevant House or committee may impose upon the witness such fine, not exceeding Sh500,000, or jail for a term not exceeding six months or both jail and fine,” reads Section 19 of the Act.