Kericho Governor Eric Mutai Impeached, Senate to Decide His Fate

Kericho County Governor, Dr. Eric Kipkoech Mutai, has been impeached after 33 out of 47 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted in favor of his removal from office, surpassing the two-thirds majority threshold of 32 votes required by law. The motion now moves to the Senate, where Mutai’s political future will be determined.

The high-stakes impeachment proceedings, which unfolded in a charged county assembly session on Friday, were marked by heated exchanges and mounting tension. Once the electronic tally confirmed the decisive vote, the chamber erupted into chaos, briefly halting proceedings as MCAs shouted across the floor, some celebrating while others condemned the outcome as a politically motivated move.

Governor Mutai, who has faced growing criticism over alleged mismanagement and strained relations with the assembly, now joins a list of county bosses who have had to battle for survival in the Senate. His impeachment raises fresh questions about the balance of power between county executives and assemblies, with observers warning of widening political divisions in Kericho.

While some MCAs hailed the outcome as “justice for the people,” others dismissed it as a witch-hunt aimed at settling political scores. “This is about accountability and service delivery,” one MCA remarked after the vote. But Mutai’s allies insisted he was being targeted for resisting corruption cartels and vested interests.

The Senate is expected to convene in the coming days to hear the charges and either uphold or overturn the impeachment. Until then, Kericho remains on edge, with the fate of its governor hanging in the balance.