The political future of Kericho Governor Erick Mutai now hangs in the balance as the Senate prepares to hear his impeachment case, following his removal by the County Assembly last week. Senators will deliberate the charges in plenary sessions scheduled for August 27–29, after abandoning an earlier proposal to form a special committee.
Mutai faces three charges: gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, and misconduct. Documents tabled in the Senate accuse him of financial impropriety, nepotism, and disregard for the law.
Gross Violation of the Constitution
The Assembly alleges Mutai authorised irregular payments worth Sh85.7 million for undelivered goods, inflated contracts, and incomplete projects. Claims include fictitious house maintenance, overpriced agricultural supplies, and advance payments to suppliers despite pending county bills exceeding Sh1.1 billion.
He is further accused of diverting Sh325 million meant for the national agricultural value chain project, with many farmers receiving substandard inputs. Under the FLOCCA initiative, projects were reportedly distributed unfairly, with Chemosot Ward, his home area, receiving Sh21.7 million.
The governor is also faulted for irregularly launching the “Equaliser Kazi Mtaani” programme without Assembly or Controller of Budget approval, leading to a Sh39 million loss. Additionally, he allegedly misused funds meant for the Londiani accident victims and coerced executives into diverting departmental funds.
Misappropriation of Publicly Raised Funds
Mutai is accused of mismanaging over Sh9 million raised during a fundraiser for the Londiani accident victims. He allegedly awarded direct tenders against procurement laws and failed to implement recommendations from the post-tragedy report.
Abuse of Office
The charges further allege nepotism and irregular appointments, including hiring his brother and promoting an aide’s wife. He is accused of illegally appointing a County Attorney, politicising recruitment processes, and arbitrarily dismissing senior officials.
One of the gravest accusations involves leading an illegal land invasion in Kericho town, where he allegedly designated private land as a county dumpsite in defiance of a court order.
The Senate’s decision at the end of the three-day hearing will determine whether Mutai survives politically or becomes the latest governor to be permanently removed from office.
