Many said the incident embarrassed the county and demanded respect from national leaders.
The protests followed a dramatic confrontation that happened on Wednesday afternoon outside the Senate buildings in Nairobi. Samburu Governor Jonathan Lati Lelelit had stepped outside to address journalists when several senators confronted him.
Witnesses say the situation quickly turned chaotic. Senators Edwin Sifuna, Eddy Oketch and another colleague reportedly tried to restrain the governor. They claimed they were enforcing a citizens' arrest after he failed to honor a Senate summons.
The order for the arrest had come from Senate Speaker Amason Kingi. The speaker directed the Sergeant at Arms to escort the governor to a police station after he allegedly ignored summons from the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee.
That committee had asked the governor to appear before it and respond to audit questions. The queries involve the use of county funds and several financial issues raised by the Auditor General.
Videos shared online showed tense scenes outside Parliament. In the clips several people appeared to struggle as the senators tried to drag the governor back toward the Senate precincts.
Governor Lelelit later said he had been attacked from behind. He claimed some people punched and kicked him during the struggle before his security team stepped in and stopped the situation from getting worse.
Speaking to reporters after the scuffle the governor issued a bold challenge. He said he was ready to face the senators outside the Senate in what he called a man to man confrontation.
Lelelit insisted he respects the Senate as an institution. However he said he would not allow anyone to disrespect him or humiliate the people who elected him to lead Samburu County.
Back in Maralal the protests grew louder as residents waved placards and chanted slogans. Some accused the senators of turning oversight into political drama instead of focusing on real accountability.
Several local leaders addressed the crowd and defended the governor. They said the Senate should question governors with dignity and avoid physical confrontation that damages public trust.
The Council of Governors also reacted strongly. Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi condemned the incident and warned that such actions could weaken relations between county governments and the Senate.
Political observers now say the standoff reflects a wider tension between governors and senators across the country. As the debate continues many Kenyans remain divided over whether the clash was accountability or political theatre.
Tags
Counties