Governor Erick Mutai of Kericho County, Kenya, is set to face impeachment hearings in the Senate from Wednesday, August 27 to Friday, August 29. The dates were confirmed by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who directed the Governor and all involved parties to submit written responses to the Clerk of the Senate by 5 PM on Monday, August 25. A plenary hearing programme and all related documentation are to be circulated to senators by the close of business on Tuesday, August 26.

Senate to Hear Case in Plenary

The Senate has resolved to conduct the hearings in plenary, allowing all senators to participate in investigating and determining the outcome of the impeachment motion. This format was adopted after a proposal by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot to form an 11-member special committee failed, due to Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo declining to second the motion.

Senator Cheruiyot has publicly stated that his interest lies solely in ensuring accountability and fairness in the process, amid public scrutiny and speculation over political influence.

Second Attempt to Impeach Governor Mutai

This is the second impeachment attempt targeting Governor Mutai. An earlier motion brought in October 2024 was dismissed by the Senate on procedural grounds. The current proceedings follow a resolution by 33 of the 47 members of the Kericho County Assembly, who have leveled a series of allegations including:

• Gross violation of the Constitution

• Financial mismanagement

• Abuse of office

• Gross misconduct

Governor Mutai has consistently denied all allegations and is expected to defend his administration during the upcoming hearings.

Key Allegations Detailed

The charges against the Governor span several categories:

1. Financial Irregularities

The motion cites alleged fictitious or irregular payments totaling KSh 85,704,522.90, made for:

• Undelivered or partially completed goods and services

• Maintenance claims for 15 residential houses

• Agricultural inputs (e.g., soya beans and maize germ) not received

• Allegedly overpriced supplies, including:

  • Soda at KSh 500 per bottle

  • Tissue paper at KSh 2,750 per bale

  • Hand towels at KSh 3,600 each

Additionally, payments totaling KSh 5.17 million were allegedly disbursed to companies such as Mengro Products Limited, Hildama Construction, Brissack Construction, Prospera Ventures, and IBM Pro Construction without proper documentation. In some instances, contractors are alleged to have received duplicate payments from retention accounts for projects completed over five years ago.

2. Misuse of Public Funds

Governor Mutai is also accused of involvement in the alleged misappropriation of over KSh 9 million raised to support victims of the Londiani Junction accident, as well as failure to implement recommendations from a County Assembly Ad hoc Committee investigating the matter.

3. Abuse of Office

Charges under this category include:

• Irregular appointments and dismissals

• Nepotism, including:

  • Appointment of the Governor’s brother as a revenue clerk

  • Confirmation of his aide’s wife as a nurse, allegedly bypassing long-serving staff

• Attempted interference with the County Assembly’s oversight functions

• Unlawful appointment of a County Attorney despite an existing office holder

4. Gross Misconduct

Governor Mutai is further accused of:

• Leading an illegal land invasion

• Acting in contempt of court shortly after taking office

Due Process to Guide Senate Proceedings

The upcoming hearings represent a significant moment for both Kericho County governance and the Senate’s constitutional oversight role. The outcome will depend on the evidence presented, the Governor’s defense, and deliberations by senators.

The Senate is expected to render a decision in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya and applicable legal standards for the impeachment of a county governor.