Kericho Governor Erick Mutai has once again stared down the political guillotine—and lived to fight another day. On Friday night, the Senate dramatically quashed a second impeachment attempt against the embattled county boss, citing procedural gaps and a flawed process at the County Assembly.
In a tense vote, 26 senators agreed that the threshold for impeachment had not been met, while 16 believed it had. One senator abstained. The result effectively collapsed the case before it could even move to a substantive hearing.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi delivered the ruling with finality:
“The result of the division indicates that the motion has been negatived. Consequently, the impeachment hearing hereby terminates.”
The decision drew a line under weeks of political drama in Kericho County, but far from cooling tensions, the ruling has sharpened questions about governance, intrigue, and the stability of Mutai’s administration.
The Charges: Governance on Trial
Mutai’s opponents in the County Assembly had leveled a barrage of accusations: gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, and outright misconduct.
Allegations ranged from irregular awarding of contracts and disregard of assembly resolutions, to claims of sidelining key stakeholders in county governance.
But the Senate found that the charges were poorly stitched together and were anchored on a process tainted by questions of legality and transparency.
At the heart of the controversy was the electronic voting system used in the County Assembly. Senators were left unconvinced that the system had been tamper-proof. Testimonies indicated that some votes were cast remotely, raising doubts about whether the constitutionally required two-thirds majority was genuinely attained.
One MCA, Hillary Kibet, dropped a bombshell during the proceedings, alleging bribery and manipulation. He claimed he had been offered Ksh200,000 and trips abroad to back the impeachment, only to later discover that his name had been recorded as having voted—despite his absence.
The Senate concluded that such irregularities fatally undermined the integrity of the entire process.
Mutai’s Survival Pitch: A Humble Plea
Taking to the floor of the Senate, Mutai struck a contrite tone. Acknowledging his flaws, he portrayed himself as a leader learning under fire.
“I know that I do not claim perfection. My two-year journey in political leadership has been full of lessons,” he said.
Mutai appealed for forgiveness and reconciliation, promising to mend fences with his political rivals at the county level. He extended the olive branch to MCAs, the County Speaker, his Deputy Governor, and even Kericho’s national representatives.
“Should I get a chance from this great House, I will reach out to the leadership of Kericho County… and strike a working relationship with them.”
Mutai further emphasized that with only two financial years left in the current cycle, political stability was critical if Kericho was to deliver on its development commitments.
Political Undercurrents: A County at War with Itself
Behind the theatrics in the Senate lies a deeply fractured Kericho political landscape. Mutai, who rode into office in 2022 on a wave of youthful promise, has faced relentless pushback from sections of the County Assembly.
Analysts point to a power struggle fueled by competing interests over resource allocation, procurement contracts, and political succession calculations for 2027.
Mutai’s relationship with his Deputy Governor has been described as frosty, while his ties with the Speaker of the County Assembly remain strained. Local MPs, too, have appeared divided, with some quietly supporting his ouster.
“The Governor may have survived impeachment, but the political instability in Kericho is far from over. These battles are less about the Constitution and more about who controls the levers of county power,” a Nairobi-based political analyst told siayatoday.com
The Bribery Allegations: Smoke Without Fire?
Perhaps the most explosive twist was the bribery narrative. While MCA Hillary Kibet’s testimony shocked senators, no hard evidence was tabled to substantiate the claims.
Nevertheless, the allegations have cast a dark shadow over Kericho’s leadership. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is reported to be monitoring the developments closely, though no formal investigations have yet been announced.
Political observers warn that unless addressed, the bribery claims could further erode public trust in both the County Assembly and the Governor’s office.
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