Watch: Kericho Governor Erick Mutai's impeachment trial at the Senate

Watch: Kericho Governor Erick Mutai's impeachment trial at the Senate

The trial, which runs from Wednesday to Friday, will see the full Senate sit as a trial court.

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai's impeachment trial began on Wednesday, with the County Assembly and the Governor each fielding heavyweight legal teams to battle over his political survival.

The County Assembly has enlisted 12 seasoned lawyers led by Elisha Ongoya, a prominent advocate who previously represented former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in his impeachment trial.

Ongoya will be supported by Kimutai Bosek, Sharon Mibey, Elias Mutuma, Hillary Kiplangat, Brian Langat, Geoffrey Langat, Victor Kibet, Evans Kiplangat, Elvis Kipkorir, Joel Wakhungu, and Vincent Kipronoh.

In addition, four legal officers, Brian Maingi, Ian Kiplangat, Mitchel Mutuma, and Japhet Koech, are listed as part of the Assembly’s delegation.

Governor Mutai, on his part, has assembled a team of six lawyers led by Katwa Kigen, a seasoned advocate who once represented President William Ruto at the ICC.

Others in his defense team are Peter Wanyama, Rose Thiong’o, Doris Ng’eno, Joash Mitei, and Evanson Kirui. Mutai hopes the Senate will throw out his impeachment on the basis of preliminary objections challenging the legality and credibility of the Assembly’s actions.

The trial, which runs from Wednesday to Friday, will see the full Senate sit as a trial court.

The trial comes after 33 out of 47 MCAs of the Kericho County Assembly voted to impeach Mutai on August 15, 2025.

Sigowet Ward MCA Kiprotich Rogony initiated the impeachment motion.

Governor Mutai faces multiple accusations, including abuse of office, nepotism, illegal appointments, and unlawful dismissal of senior officials.

Additional charges include mismanagement of public resources, double payments to contractors, and violations of the Public Finance Management Act, the Constitution, and the County Governments Act.

The governor previously survived an impeachment in October 2024, when the Senate overturned the county assembly’s vote on technical grounds, citing the failure to meet the two-thirds threshold.

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