Kisii Senator has alleged that corruption dominates Senate committees, with county governors offering millions of shillings to senators to influence audit outcomes.
He admitted receiving smaller bribes but claimed he never complied with demands.
Speaking on a radio interview Friday morning, Onyonka revealed that governors often approach senators in private settings such as hotels or basements before committee hearings, offering payments to avoid unfavorable audit reports and protect public funds from scrutiny.
He disclosed that governors sometimes offer between KSh 2 million and KSh 10 million to senators, depending on the amount they hope to hide, noting that the practice is widespread in attempts to silence accountability.
Onyonka admitted he has received smaller amounts in cash, which he accepted but never acted upon, insisting he maintained integrity and did not allow the payments to influence his committee work or reports.
The revelations come amid accusations by the Council of Governors (CoG) that certain senators engaged in extortion, harassment, and intimidation of governors during their audit appearances, raising tensions between the Senate and county leadership.
Several senators named by CoG include Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang, Nairobi Senator , Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, and Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma, all allegedly involved in coercive practices to extract favors from governors.
Governors have threatened to boycott Senate summons until the issues are addressed, demanding removal of implicated senators from committee positions to restore confidence, fairness, and transparency in public accountability processes across counties.
Sifuna responded by denying all extortion allegations, insisting he has never pressured or solicited governors and that the claims amount to defamation, warning he would pursue legal action to protect his reputation and record in public office.
Onyonka’s statement highlights ongoing friction between county executives and senators, raising concerns about ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability in Kenya’s governance system, while underscoring the need for structured engagement between the Senate and the Council of Governors.
