Isiolo, Kenya — Political hostilities in Isiolo spiraled into open lawlessness on Tuesday night when a gang of armed goons stormed the County Assembly chambers, smashing furniture, scattering documents, and leaving the once-orderly hall looking like a war zone.
Images seen by siayatoday.com show a desecrated chamber: splintered desks, toppled chairs, and a floor littered with debris. The attack halted Wednesday’s scheduled sittings, plunging the county deeper into crisis.
“Democracy is crumbling in Isiolo”
Former Isiolo Deputy Governor Abdi Issa delivered a stinging rebuke of the chaos, warning that governance in the county is on its deathbed.
“Democracy is crumbling in Isiolo as security forces stand by while lawlessness reigns. The judiciary has become a weak link. The town feels like a survival-of-the-fittest jungle now. It’s time for President William Ruto to step in, disband the Isiolo County government, and establish a caretaker administration,” said Abdi.
Speaker’s Arrest Adds Fuel to the Fire
Hours before the night raid, County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba was arrested by DCI officers along Thika Road and detained at Ruaraka Police Station. By Wednesday morning, he had been whisked away to an undisclosed location, a move critics allege smacks of political persecution.
“Why arrest a Speaker and then allow chaos in the assembly the same night? This is more than a coincidence; this is a power play,” remarked a senior political analyst.
Guyo vs Assembly: A Battle for Control
The latest violence is the climax of a bitter feud between Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo and a section of Isiolo MCAs. The rivalry hit fever pitch in June when MCAs impeached Guyo, citing abuse of office and financial mismanagement.
But the Senate, under Speaker Amason Kingi, overturned the impeachment, ruling that the assembly flouted procedure.
“The Senate finds that the County Assembly of Isiolo did not appropriately hold sittings on June 18 and June 26 to table, debate, and pass a vote on the motion for impeachment. The proceedings terminate forthwith,” Kingi ruled, reinstating Guyo.
Behind the chaos lurks a bigger story — the 2027 succession chessboard. Governor Guyo, a seasoned operator with ties to powerful Nairobi networks, is seen as positioning himself.
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