Kericho Governor Erick Mutai impeached again

 Kericho Members of the Kericho County Assembly have impeached Governor Erick Mutai for a second time.

 The results from an electronic vote indicated that 33 out of 47 ward representatives supported the motion.

Immediately after the results were displayed on the screen, chaos erupted as a group opposing the outcome screamed and chanted slogans, disrupting the extended session of the assembly.

 This marks the second time the assembly has impeached Governor Mutai in less than a year.

 The motion was introduced by Sigowet MCA Kiprotich Rogony, who accused the county chief of gross constitutional violations, illegal tender awards, and misconduct in public office.

In his defense, Governor Mutai denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the alleged fictitious payment of Sh85 million was part of a concerted effort to incite public emotion against his administration.

“A governor shouldn’t be impeached based on innuendos and malice, but according to the law. I have seen statements alleging that the governor withdrew money for NASPCPD, but it’s common knowledge that the governor has no role in withdrawing funds. I don't have the accounting rights,” he stated.

 The county boss further expressed concern that the impeachment motion followed recommendations from the Kipkoech-led Ad Hoc Committee calling for the dismissal of the finance executive and disciplinary measures against seven chief officers. He noted that he had not been given adequate time to act on these recommendations.

“The timeline was supposed to be 28 days, but I am suddenly faced with an impeachment notice. The County Assembly hasn't even approved the nominees for the County Public Service Board to operationalize and run it,” said Mutai.

"Even if I am impeached, I will leave with my head held high. I am not guilty. I am not afraid. I have searched my soul over the past week and know that I am not a perfect person. I make mistakes just like anyone else," he added.

 The impeachment motion followed an attempted arson attack at the assembly after unknown individuals hurled a Molotov cocktail onto the roof of the building around 4pm just hours before the impeachment motion was tabled.

Speaker Patrick Mutai condemned the incident.

Anti-riot police had to use teargas to disperse a crowd of Mutai supporters who were gathered outside the assembly, waving placards and chanting against the MCAs.

In presenting the impeachment motion, Kiprotich Rogony cited violations of the Constitution, abuse of office, and significant misappropriation of public funds.

According to Rogony, the governor oversaw a series of questionable transactions that cost Kericho taxpayers hundreds of millions of shillings. He alleged that between January and July 2023, the county lost over Sh85 million due to fictitious payments for goods, works, and services that were never delivered.

Examples included maintenance of 70 houses in Kipkelion West at Sh3.9 million, undelivered animal feeds valued at Sh14.9 million, and grossly overpriced items such as sodas priced at Sh500 per 300ml bottle and tissue paper bales at Sh3,250.

Rogony also accused the governor of biased and nepotistic resource allocation, especially under the Equaliser Locally-led Climate Action (ELCCA) Fund, where his home ward allegedly received Sh5.7 million in projects while other wards received nothing.

The motion further claimed that the governor oversaw the misappropriation of Sh353 million from the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) and Sh39 million under the Equaliser Kazi Mtaani Initiative, which was initiated without proper legislation, public participation, or approvals from the County Assembly and the Controller of Budget.

Additionally, Rogony alleged that the governor presided over the loss of more than Sh3 million in public donations meant for the victims of the Londiani Junction accident, and later undermined the implementation of an Ad Hoc Committee report.

“The governor’s actions display blatant disregard for Articles 10, 183, 201, 207, and 208 of the Constitution, as well as the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act,” Rogony stated.

The motion also detailed procurement irregularities, including splitting contracts to evade competitive tendering, paying for goods and services in advance despite outstanding bills of Sh1.1 billion, and awarding tenders without following proper procedures.