Tight security as public participation on Governor Guyo's impeachment begins

Section of Isiolo residents trooped to social halls in 10 electoral wards to give their oral and written submissions to either give their nod or reject a motion aimed at impeaching embattled Governor Abdi Guyo.

There was heavy security, notably in the urban Wards of Wabera, Burat and Bulapesa and Oldonyiro and Ngaremara in the periphery.

Last Friday, the State deployed scores of security personnel from six police stations in neighbouring Meru to ensure 'neutrality' following complaints by the two sides in the in the impeachment motion that claimed the local personnel were biased.

In the build-up to Tuesday exercise, the two sides pitting the MCAs against the Governor had mobilised supporters on their sides, a scenario that security agencies feared might degenerate to clashes outside the County Assembly compound that also hosts the Governor's offices.

On Wednesday last week, supporters from one camp clashed with anti-riot police prompting the officers to hurl teargas and shoot in the air to disperse the rowdy crowd.

Some armed Kenya Police Reservists (KPR), some from distant locations from were spotted in Isiolo Town, estates and precinct of the assembly that caught the security personnel off guard, prompting the intervention of senior officers from Vigilance House in Nairobi and Regional headquarters in Embu.

A source at Isiolo police station said at least 10 KPR were arrested for being outside their area and disarmed. Six, are reportedly facing a probe for allegedly taking sides in a political process.

Isiolo County Police Commander Moses Mutisya, who is away on official duty referred The Standard to an officer who is holding brief for him when contacted. The officer, whose first name is Samuel declined to comment.

Tuesday, an official from the Assembly's Clerk office said there was huge turn out in at least seven of the wards in the County. The vast and remote County which is sparsely populated has 10 Wards and two Constituencies.

"The residents especially in Wabera, Bulapesa and Burat turned out in big numbers to give their oral and written submissions," said the official who sought anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the press.

He added that there were many written memorandums for and against the motion received by the clerk's office prior to yesterday's exercise.

Abdullahi Gollo, from Tullu Roba estate who is a voter at St Kizito polling Station in Wabera ward and said he gave his views on why he desires Mr Guyo to be kicked out after after about an hour of waiting, hailing the smooth running of the exercise.

However, a section of residents who are opposed to the idea of impeachment claimed the Speaker, Mohamed Qoto of taking sides with the MCAs, who are supporting the motion where 16 of the 18 of the assembly members are in favour.

Ibrahim Wako, an activist, said the move was ill informed adding that it was politically motivated and influenced by political leaders from the neighbouring counties.

"The speaker is openly taking sides instead of exercising neutrality as demanded by the Constitution. He is also playing the role of the MCAs," alleged Mr Wako.

In Bulapesa ward, Ali Kuno of Bulapesa appealed for peace from residents especially the young generation saying Isiolo people should remain united.

Guyos supporters warned the MCAs who want to impeach the Governor that they would also initiate the process of recalling them if the motion, set for Thursday goes through.