The impeachment trial of Kericho Governor Erick Mutai commenced in the Senate on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, marking the second attempt within a year to remove him from office. Central to the proceedings was the compelling testimony of Edna Tonui, a former County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Agriculture, Livestock, and Cooperatives, who detailed allegations of financial demands from the governor and the circumstances surrounding her abrupt dismissal.

Tonui testified that she had transferred approximately Sh 1.6 million from her personal funds to Governor Mutai following repeated requests from his personal assistants. She recounted making initial contributions of amounts such as Sh 10,000, Sh 20,000, Sh 30,000, and Sh 100,000. Tonui, who served on merit after a competitive selection process, claimed her dismissal was an act of retaliation for her eventual refusal to continue these payments for fundraisers. She highlighted her professional background, including prior service as a senior public health officer in Uasin Gishu and her independent income as a businesswoman and farmer, underscoring her financial autonomy.

Her dismissal occurred suddenly on December 23, 2024, communicated not through official channels but via the governor’s Facebook page at 7 p.m. This unexpected termination, which also affected five other colleagues—Kipruto Malen, Rosemary Rop, Leonard Ngetich, Bernard Bii, and Brian Langat—came just before Christmas. Tonui received her official termination letter only on December 27, and she disputed the reasons cited, which referenced executive orders from 2022, 2023, and 2024, implying these were pretexts.

Governor Mutai faces a litany of charges, including abuse of office, mismanagement of public resources (such as alleged fictitious payments of Sh 85 million to 46 companies for undelivered goods or undone work), irregular procurement, illegal appointments, unlawful dismissals of senior officials, nepotism, and violations of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), the Constitution of Kenya, and the County Governments Act. The impeachment motion was initiated by Sigowet Ward MCA Kiprotich Rogony and successfully passed in the County Assembly on August 15, with 33 out of 47 MCAs voting in favor.

In his spirited defense, Governor Mutai pleaded not guilty to all charges, asserting that the impeachment is a politically motivated conspiracy orchestrated by Kericho County Assembly Speaker Patrick Mutai, whom he accused of positioning himself for the 2027 governorship. The governor’s legal team also challenged the legality and credibility of the electronic voting system used in the assembly, alleging it was unverified, prone to manipulation, and that the required two-thirds threshold might not have been legitimately met. Mutai further stated that reports on fictitious payments were handed to him by the county assembly only after his impeachment motion was tabled, thus denying him sufficient time to act on them.

The Senate opted for a full plenary trial after a motion to form a special committee failed. The hearings are scheduled to continue through Friday, August 29, with senators expected to vote on whether to uphold or overturn the impeachment. The County Assembly is represented by a 12-member legal team led by Elisha Ongoya, while Governor Mutai’s defense is led by six lawyers, including Katwa Kigen, Peter Wanyama, Rose Thiong’o, Doris Ng’eno, Joash Mitei, and Evanson Kirui.