“The Billion-Shilling Ghost: Why the Senate is Calling for the Arrest of IG Douglas Kanja”
The standoff between Parliament and the National Police Service has reached a boiling point. The Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) has officially summoned Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, demanding he explain why he failed to arrest and produce Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit. The Governor is wanted for questioning over the alleged mismanagement of billions in public funds during the 2023/2024 financial year.
For months, Governor Lelelit has reportedly dodged parliamentary scrutiny, ignoring multiple summons and a KSh 500,000 fine for contempt. The situation turned bizarre in December when IG Kanja informed the committee that the Governor was “untraceable.” However, this claim was quickly dismantled by Samburu Senator Steven Lelegwe, who told his colleagues he personally spotted the Governor at State House during a recent UDA National Governing Council meeting chaired by President William Ruto.
CPAC Chairperson Senator Moses Kajwang’ has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the IG, warning that the police cannot operate under a “different constitutional order.” Kajwang’ blasted the police chief for allegedly undermining parliamentary authority and failing to facilitate the work of oversight committees. The Senate is now investigating whether the police are intentionally shielding the Governor or if there has been a massive failure in intelligence.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna echoed these frustrations, describing the IG’s inaction as “pure contempt” that sets a dangerous precedent for accountability in Kenya. As pressure mounts, Governor Lelelit has been ordered to appear before the committee on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. All eyes are now on IG Kanja to see if the police will finally enforce the law or if the Governor will remain “missing” despite his public appearances.
