Kericho governor impeached

By Peter Ochieng

Kericho governor Eric Mutai has been impeached by Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

The MCAs voted in favour of an impeachment motion, despite the Court having been given an order temporarily halting the process.

Sigowet MCA Kiprotich Rogony tabled the motion, with at least 31 of the 47 MCAs voting to remove the governor from office, slightly over two years since being elected and subsequently sworn in.

Rogony cited gross violation of the constitution and other laws, a gross violation of various national and county laws, abuse of office, and gross misconduct as the four grounds against the county chief.

“The governor has variously committed constitutional wrongs that subvert the structure of government and undermine the integrity of the office and even the constitution itself,” he said.

A notice of motion to oust the county boss, elected on President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket was formally tabled in September 12, 2024.

County Assembly Speaker Patrick Mutai set October 02, 2024 for the House to dispense the matter, inviting the governor to appear in order to defend himself against allegations raised in the impeachment motion.

Instead, he moved to Court and obtained orders halting the process, until the petition is heard and determined. Justice J.K Sergon ruled in his favour, but the MCAs disobeyed the order.

“That pending the inter-party hearing of the motion dated 1/10/2024, interim conservatory orders are issued against the respondents jointly and severally suspending and staying the debating considering and or acting upon the notice tabled on 23/09/2024 and motion moved on the 24/09/2024 for the removal of the applicant- governor from office,” the court order reads in part.

The move by MCAs is expected to become a bone of contention, when the matter comes up for deliberations at the Senate, which has the final say on the impeachment of the county boss. Mutai becomes the second governor to be impeached by MCAs since 2022.

His Meru counterpart Kawira Mwangaza was impeached thrice by MCAs. The Senate saved her twice, before ‘sending her packing’ on the third time of asking.

She is still in office by virtue of having challenged her impeachment process at the High Court.