Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo has secured a major legal victory after a three-judge bench dismissed a petition seeking his removal from office over allegations of party hopping.
The petition, filed in June 2023, accused Guyo of defecting from the Jubilee Party to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) shortly before he assumed office. The petitioners argued that the alleged defection amounted to an automatic resignation, which they claimed should trigger a by-election for both the governor and his deputy, John Lowasa.
In its ruling delivered on Friday, December 5, the court said that although party hopping remains unlawful under Kenyan law, the petitioners failed to present any evidence showing that Guyo or Lowasa had formally defected. The bench also declined a request to issue conservatory orders blocking the two leaders from executing their duties.
The petitioners maintained that the alleged defections undermined multi-party democracy and had destabilised politics in Isiolo. But the judges noted that the accusations were unsubstantiated and did not meet the threshold required for the removal of a county leader.
Addressing residents after the judgement, Governor Guyo described the petition as a politically motivated attempt to mislead the public. “Those who pushed the impeachment narrative have been exposed by the truth,” he said, adding that the court had confirmed there was no evidence he or his deputy ever resigned from Jubilee.
Guyo said the ruling now allows his administration to focus fully on serving Isiolo residents without continued political distractions.
