The Senate will today deliver its verdict on the impeachment motion against Kericho Governor Dr. Erick Mutai, following three days of tense hearings that have gripped national attention.
The motion, initiated by the Kericho County Assembly, accuses the governor of gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, and gross misconduct. Senators convened a special sitting on Friday outside their usual Tuesday to Thursday schedule to deliberate and vote on the matter.
This marks the second time in less than a year that Governor Mutai has faced impeachment proceedings, underscoring the political tension in Kericho County. During the hearings, the County Assembly presented evidence alleging mismanagement and constitutional breaches, while Mutai’s legal team mounted a strong defence.
On Thursday, August 28, the governor challenged the validity of the County Assembly’s vote that forwarded the motion to the Senate. Mutai argued that the constitutionally required threshold of 32 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) was not met. According to him, only 29 valid votes were cast in support of the motion, while four votes though recorded as backing impeachment were in fact cast to terminate the process before it proceeded to substantive charges.
The Assembly, however, insists that 33 MCAs supported the impeachment, dismissing Mutai’s claims as a ploy to evade accountability.
In the Senate, voting will be conducted by delegation, with each of the 47 elected senators casting one vote on behalf of their county. Mutai will be removed from office if at least 24 senators endorse any of the charges against him.
The governor has consistently maintained that the impeachment is politically motivated, describing it as a “witch-hunt” designed to derail his leadership. Despite the allegations, he has expressed confidence that the Senate will clear him.
Today’s decision will be closely watched across the country, as it could either cement Mutai’s political survival or mark his dramatic exit from office. With divisions evident between the Assembly and the governor’s allies, the Senate’s ruling is expected to have significant implications for governance and politics in Kericho County.
