The Senate on Tuesday began a two-day impeachment trial against Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, marking a significant phase in the county’s political crisis. The proceedings follow the June 26 decision by the Isiolo County Assembly, where 16 out of 18 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) voted to impeach the governor.
Governor Guyo is facing charges of abuse of office, gross misconduct, and violations of the Constitution and other laws. The Senate, in a plenary sitting, rejected a proposal to establish a special committee and instead opted for a full plenary trial. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi gazetted July 8 and 9 as the official dates for considering the impeachment motion.
The Tuesday session began with a closed-door pre-hearing meeting at 9 am, followed by the public plenary at 10 am. Senators recited their constitutional mandate, reviewed procedural rules, and introduced the hearing programme. Both the Isiolo County Assembly team and Governor Guyo’s legal team were formally introduced.
The charges against Governor Guyo were then read out in the House, after which the Senate addressed preliminary objections raised by the governor’s defence. If these objections are overruled, the trial will proceed into full hearing mode.
Tuesday afternoon’s session included opening statements from the Assembly’s legal team and Governor Guyo’s defence counsel. The Senate then began receiving evidence from the Assembly, including witness testimonies, which will continue into Wednesday.
All 67 senators are participating in the hearing, but only the 47 elected county representatives are eligible to vote. A minimum of 24 votes in support of any of the charges is required to uphold the impeachment. If this threshold is met, Governor Guyo will be removed from office.
The outcome of this trial is expected to have significant political implications not only for Isiolo County but also for the broader discourse on accountability and governance in Kenya’s devolved units. The nation awaits the Senate’s verdict as it deliberates on the fate of Governor Guyo.
