Kericho Governor Erick Mutai Faces Second Impeachment Attempt
Kericho, Kenya – August 7, 2025. Kericho County Governor Dr. Erick Mutai is once again facing a serious political storm as a fresh impeachment motion has been tabled against him in the County Assembly, less than a year after he survived a similar attempt at the Senate.
The renewed push comes amid new accusations of financial mismanagement, fictitious payments, and tender irregularities, signaling an escalating battle between the executive and legislative arms of the county government.
The latest impeachment bid was initiated on August 6, 2025, when Nicholas Chumba, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Kedowa/Kimugul Ward, tabled a motion seeking Governor Mutai’s removal from office. Chumba cited findings from an Ad Hoc Committee report, which was adopted a day earlier. The report alleges massive irregularities in procurement and unauthorized payments that have ballooned Kericho’s pending bills to over KSh 1 billion.
In a parallel statement, Sigowet Ward MCA Kiprotich Rogony, who led the 2024 impeachment push, reiterated claims of early tender payments and poor financial stewardship. According to him, the governor’s administration had been flagged for transferring county funds irregularly and bypassing due process in project financing.
The County Assembly Clerk confirmed that the motion complies with Standing Order No. 70, and it has now been forwarded to the Assembly Business Committee for scheduling. If passed by at least two-thirds of the Assembly members—32 out of 47 MCAs—the motion will proceed to the Senate for full hearings.
Mutai’s Troubled History with Impeachment
Governor Mutai is no stranger to such political turbulence. In October 2024, he faced a stormy impeachment attempt led by the same County Assembly. At the time, MCAs accused him of gross violations of the Constitution, abuse of office, and even sexual misconduct. The Assembly passed the motion with 31 votes—just one short of the constitutional two-thirds threshold.
However, when the matter reached the Senate, the governor managed to escape removal. Senators voted overwhelmingly to uphold a preliminary objection that the motion lacked legal weight due to the insufficient number of votes at the County Assembly level. As a result, the Senate dismissed the impeachment, allowing Governor Mutai to continue in office.
In response to the latest motion, Governor Mutai has adopted a more aggressive stance. In a televised address, he denied all allegations, describing the impeachment efforts as politically motivated sabotage by a faction of MCAs that have been opposing his leadership since he took office in 2022.
In a bold counter-move, the governor announced his intention to invoke Article 192 of the Constitution, which allows for the dissolution of a county government if there is evidence of dysfunction. Mutai stated that he would petition President William Ruto to dissolve the Kericho County Government entirely and call for fresh elections.
“The people of Kericho deserve service, not constant wrangling and political vendettas,” said Mutai. “If the Assembly cannot function in good faith, then it is time for the entire county leadership to seek a fresh mandate from the people.”
Mutai also disclosed that his administration inherited nearly KSh 763 million in pending bills, many of which were linked to the interests of some MCAs now leading the charge against him. He accused the County Assembly of repeatedly obstructing development initiatives and attempting to use financial leverage to derail his agenda.
The fate of the governor now rests with the County Assembly, which must decide whether the new evidence and allegations merit a full impeachment process. If the Assembly secures the two-thirds vote, the motion will advance to the Senate for hearings.
At the Senate level, a Special Committee or the entire House may be tasked with examining the charges. The Senate will determine whether the allegations hold water and whether Mutai should be removed from office.
Political observers say the second attempt could prove more decisive, especially if procedural loopholes are avoided and the Assembly presents a solid case supported by documentation.
This is the second impeachment attempt against Governor Mutai within one year—a rarity in Kenyan county politics. The situation highlights the fragile relationship between county executives and assemblies, particularly in matters involving procurement and public finance management.
If President Ruto entertains the dissolution request, Kericho could become the first county under the 2010 Constitution to face a government-wide reset through Article 192. Such a move would have significant political ramifications, not just in the Rift Valley, but nationally, as it would set a precedent for resolving internal county conflicts.
