By G, KNA
The Kipsigis Council of Elders has fired a broadside at a renewed bid by a section of the Kericho County Assembly Members to impeach Governor Dr Erick Mutai, terming it political mischief aimed at derailing development and dragging the county into unnecessary turmoil.
In a press briefing at Moi Gardens, Kericho the council secretary Edwin Kimeto told KNA that the renewed impeachment push, coming eight months after a similar motion collapsed, was not only a betrayal of the electorate’s trust but also an affront to the values of patience, dialogue and unity cherished by the Kipsigis community. He warned that such political turbulence undermines the very stability upon which the county’s progress depends.
“We, the people of Kericho, stand firmly against any attempt to hound the governor out of office for the second time on grounds we consider flimsy and politically contrived. Such actions not only undermine the democratic mandate bestowed upon the governor by the electorate, but also erode the dignity of our county’s governance,” Mr. Kimeto said.
He added that Members of the County Assembly were elected through the will of the people to perform three sacred duties — to represent the citizens’ aspirations, to legislate in a manner that advances the county’s development, and to exercise oversight with integrity and fairness.
“It is, therefore, a betrayal of public trust when these responsibilities are cast aside in favour of serving the whims and narrow interests of external political masters, whose motives may not align with the welfare of the people of Kericho,” Kimeto reiterated.
He urged both the County Assembly and the Executive to set aside their differences and forge a collaborative working relationship, cautioning that persistent political wrangling could jeopardize the timely delivery of flagship development projects. The elders further noted that Kericho’s stature as the home county of the senate majority leader places it under intense national scrutiny, warning that any semblance of local instability would be both unbecoming and detrimental to the broader goal of national cohesion.
“Those eyeing the governor’s seat should get down to writing their manifestos for the 2027 elections. Leadership is decided at the ballot, not in political backrooms,” Kimeto said, dismissing the impeachment push as premature and self-serving.
On governance, the elders urged the county staff to guard public resources jealously and promptly report any suspected misuse to investigative agencies.
The council accused the county assembly of sabotaging service delivery by stalling the approval of nominees to the County Public Service Board and the office of County Secretary.
Kimeto also poured cold water on the use of a recent Ad Hoc Committee report as the basis for impeachment. The report, which investigated alleged misappropriation of Sh80 million, recommended action against specific departmental officers — including the county treasury and chief officers — but did not directly implicate the governor.
Among the recommendations were disciplinary measures against culpable officers, revocation of certain accounting officer appointments, restructuring of the agriculture docket and a forensic audit into payments to 46 companies.
“The report is unequivocal and leaves no room for misinterpretation, as it meticulously outlines the findings and clearly identifies those directly responsible for the matter at hand. In accordance with the law, such individuals must face due process through the established legal and administrative channels, ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability. Turning this issue into a political battlefield by attempting to implicate the governor, who is neither mentioned nor directly linked in the findings, amounts to deliberate mischief and a calculated attempt to inflame public sentiment for partisan gain,” Kimeto concluded.
The fresh motion comes against the backdrop of heightened political temperatures in Kericho. The first impeachment bid in late 2024 flopped after failing to muster the two-thirds threshold required under Article 181 of the constitution and the county governments Act.
The governor is slated to appear before the Kericho County Assembly to formally present his defense on the impeachment motion leveled against him. The session, which will be conducted in line with the Assembly’s Standing Orders, is expected to provide members with an opportunity to interrogate the matter and examine any supporting evidence before determining the way forward.
