Kericho County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Magerer Langat, has resigned in what he describes as a personal decision coming just before the County Assembly was set to impeach.
His dramatic move came just hours before the Assembly debated a motion to remove him over allegations of abuse of office and gross misconduct.
The move was seen as a tactical retreat, cutting short what was expected to be a heated showdown between the executive and the legislature.
Langat, openly critical of the process, said the entire exercise had been politically choreographed. He insisted he would not walk into what he called a trap—a trial poisoned by bias, undue influence, and predetermined outcomes.
“How do you defend yourself in a process where the verdict is already written? I was not given the documents I needed nor the time to prepare, yet the law is clear that every person, regardless of their position or the charges against them, deserves a fair and impartial hearing. To deny me that right is nothing short of a miscarriage of justice,” he said.
The embattled CEC was one of six members of Governor Erick Mutai’s Cabinet targeted in impeachment motions. The Assembly invoked Article 185 of the Constitution, which gives them oversight powers, and Section 40 of the County Governments Act, which allows the removal of a CEC for gross violation of the law, abuse of office, misconduct, or incapacity.
The law further requires that such a motion be backed by at least one-third of the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) before a select committee investigates and hears the official’s defense. Langat argued this threshold of fairness was never met, saying the process was nothing more than a political theatre.
In resigning, Langat said he would not be drawn into succession battles linked to the 2027 elections. His exit, however, leaves the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries without leadership at a critical time for Kericho’s economy.
The docket he headed is central to the county. It supports thousands of tea farmers, dairy cooperatives, poultry groups, and fish farming projects, while driving food security and value-addition programmes. Analysts now warn that the vacuum could stall key initiatives such as livestock disease control, fish hatchery expansion, and extension services.
As Kericho weighs the impact of his departure, one fact stands out—the resignation has widened the rift between the County Assembly and the Executive.
Farmers, investors, and residents are left waiting for new leadership to steady a ministry that touches every household. In that uncertainty lies the true weight of Langat’s exit: a political resignation whose ripple effects may shape the county’s agricultural future.
By Gilbert Mutai
