Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan’s legal battle with the Senate has exposed deeper concerns about devolution and governance in Kenya. The High Court ruling in Petition No. E006 of 2024 reaffirmed the Senate’s oversight role. However, critical points in the judgment challenge the legitimacy of the push for his arrest.
While the Governor’s application was dismissed, the court issued several positive orders in his favor. It ruled that the Senate Committee lacks the authority to direct the Inspector General of Police to arrest him. The judgment also clarified that the Senate cannot order the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute him. If such directives existed, they would violate the law. The court, as noted in paragraphs 51 and 52, emphasized that the Senate cannot control independent institutions.
The Senate’s intentions in this case raise serious concerns. Senate Committees repeatedly summoned the Governor, disrupting county operations. When he sought legal protection, Senate members accused him of being uncooperative. Even after honoring the summons, they continued pushing for his arrest. This pattern raises doubts about whether accountability was the true goal or if the Senate aimed to weaken his leadership.
Senator Fatuma Dullo’s involvement complicates the matter further. She has led the calls for punitive action against the Governor. Given their well-known political rivalry, her actions suggest a targeted effort rather than a genuine push for accountability. If personal disputes influence Senate oversight, its credibility suffers. Instead of governance, the Senate risks engaging in political interference.
Selective accountability also remains a problem. The Senate has overlooked other counties with worse financial records while aggressively pursuing Isiolo. This raises a critical question: why does Isiolo face intense scrutiny while other counties escape similar oversight? A fair and transparent process must apply to all counties equally to maintain credibility.
For the people of Isiolo, the stakes are high. Service delivery should be the priority, yet these political battles have diverted attention and resources. Projects such as the Isiolo Referral Hospital, road networks, and water infrastructure face delays. Youth employment programs also suffer setbacks. Instead of driving progress, the county’s leadership has been forced to defend itself against politically motivated attacks.
Isiolo’s financial autonomy faces another major threat. Senator Dullo recently proposed limiting the county’s control over its resources, shifting financial decisions to national politics. This move would weaken local governance and force counties to negotiate for funds instead of receiving their rightful allocations. The High Court has made it clear that the Senate has no mandate to stop county funds. The ruling reaffirmed that counties must receive their equitable share as guaranteed by the Constitution. Any attempt by the Senate to interfere with this process would be unconstitutional and a direct attack on devolution.
The Senate’s actions send a warning to all county governments. If governors face excessive pressure, county autonomy will erode. While accountability remains essential, leaders must pursue it through legal and transparent means, not political intimidation. If the Senate wants its oversight role respected, it must act fairly and without bias.
The people of Isiolo must demand fair treatment for their leadership. Development, not political battles, should be the focus. Devolution was meant to empower counties, not make them dependent on national politics. Leaders must protect county autonomy from political interference. Governor Hassan, like all elected officials, must remain accountable—but through lawful, fair, and non-partisan processes.
