Governor Mutai Impeached by Kericho MCAs in Defiance of Court Ruling
Kericho Governor Eric Mutai has been impeached by 31 members of the County Assembly (MCAs), despite a court order temporarily halting the proceedings. The vote, which took place on Thursday, is seen as a significant defiance of the judicial process and has raised questions about the integrity of local governance.
The MCAs accused Governor Mutai of gross misconduct and violating the constitution, citing mismanagement of public funds and personal misconduct as the primary reasons for the motion.
The impeachment motion, led by Sigowet MCA Kiprotich Rogony, comes just one day after Justice Joseph Sergon issued an order barring the assembly from debating the motion until a petition filed by Mutai could be heard on October 15, 2024.
“There are numerous complaints of the Governor’s indecent and unnatural behaviour by female partners,” Rogony claimed during the assembly session. He hinted at sensitive testimonies that may emerge during the upcoming Senate hearing, adding, “The victim seeks anonymity at this stage.”
Governor Mutai is now the latest county leader to face impeachment proceedings, joining 12 other governors who have faced similar challenges since 2013.
However, only two governors—Nairobi’s Mike Sonko and Kiambu’s Ferdinand Waititu—have been successfully removed from office. Mutai is expected to challenge the impeachment in court and Senate, following the legal path of other embattled governors.
The decision to proceed with the vote, despite the court order, has stirred controversy. Speaker Patrick Mutai allowed the motion to continue, raising concerns over whether the assembly was fully informed of the court ruling. Governor Mutai’s petition had named the county assembly, Speaker Mutai, and MCA Rogony as respondents, seeking to halt the process pending a final hearing.
Justice Sergon had issued interim conservatory orders preventing any debate on the impeachment until all parties could present their arguments. The court’s ruling set an October 15 date for oral highlights, making the assembly’s actions premature.
Mutai’s legal team is expected to challenge the impeachment based on the violation of Justice Sergon’s orders. The outcome of this legal battle will be watched closely, as it has implications not just for Kericho County but for the broader issue of local governance in Kenya.
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Governor Mutai Impeached by Kericho MCAs in Defiance of Court Ruling
