Members of the Isiolo County Assembly on Tuesday held their first plenary sitting following a period of political tension and exile after a failed attempt to impeach Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo.
The session comes after the Senate rejected the impeachment motion on technical grounds, ruling that the Assembly did not prove it had a lawful sitting to initiate the governor’s removal. The failure prompted a regrouping of the MCAs, some of whom had fled Isiolo town citing insecurity after tabling the notice of motion.
Hundreds of residents took to the streets of Isiolo to welcome the MCAs back, signaling strong grassroots support for the attempted ouster of Governor Guyo. The show of public solidarity came amid a dramatic shake-up within the Assembly’s leadership.
During the sitting, Speaker Mohamed Roba Qoto announced that the United Democratic Movement (UDM) party had expelled two nominated MCAs Fozia Djibril Bore and Amina Omar Enow for alleged gross misconduct and failure to remit monthly party contributions. Their expulsion means they automatically lose their seats in the County Assembly, as per Kenyan law governing nominated members.
The two had initially supported the impeachment motion but shifted allegiance to the Governor’s side shortly before the Senate verdict, giving Governor Guyo a temporary political lifeline.
In further leadership changes, Oldonyiro ward MCA and Deputy Speaker David Lemantile (KANU) was removed from the influential House Business Committee and replaced by Wabera MCA Salesio Kiambi. Minority Leader Francisco Letimalo (KANU) was also de-whipped and replaced by Cherab MCA Halima Golle Abgudo.
The MCAs, in a public address, pledged to continue holding the executive accountable and warned Governor Guyo to prioritize service delivery or face renewed impeachment efforts. They also voiced strong support for Speaker Roba, promising to resist any attempts to oust him.
The developments underscore the deep political rifts within the Isiolo County Assembly, even as residents look to their leaders to move past internal power struggles and focus on development.
