Kericho Governor Erick Mutai will know his political fate today as the Senate deliberates on an impeachment motion seeking his removal from office.
The motion, tabled by the Kericho County Assembly, accuses Mutai of gross misconduct, violation of the Constitution, and abuse of office.
The Senate, which convened a special sitting outside its normal schedule, has spent the past three days hearing arguments from both the County Assembly and the governor’s legal team. Senators will now determine whether the evidence meets the constitutional two-thirds threshold required to oust a governor.
“Kericho County Governor (Dr) Erick Mutai will know his fate today as the Senate deliberates and considers a motion by Kericho County Assembly proposing his removal from office through impeachment,” the Senate stated in its notice.
The proceedings have drawn widespread national interest, not only because of the allegations but also because this marks the second time in less than a year that Mutai faces impeachment.
On Thursday, August 28, Mutai mounted a strong defense, contesting the electronic voting system used by the County Assembly in approving the motion. He claimed only 29 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) voted legally, falling short of the 32 required. However, the Assembly maintains that 33 supported his removal, with four votes allegedly cast in the governor’s favor.
Mutai’s lawyers argued that those four votes were meant to terminate the impeachment process before it advanced to substantive charges.
The final decision rests with the Senate’s 47 elected members, who will vote by delegation. Mutai will be removed from office if at least 24 senators endorse any of the charges against him.
The governor has insisted that the impeachment is politically motivated, describing the process as a witch-hunt.
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