Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo survives impeachment as Senate dismisses case

Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo has survived an impeachment attempt after the Senate dismissed the charges brought against him by the County Assembly, citing procedural irregularities.

On Tuesday, the Senate upheld preliminary objections raised by the governor’s legal team, which argued that the County Assembly had failed to conduct a valid impeachment process. The majority of Senators agreed with the governor's arguments that the County Assembly of Isiolo never held sittings on June 18 and 26 to debate the impeachment motion.

Senators further noted that there was an active court order in place barring the proceedings at the time they were initiated.

During the vote, 31 elected senators representing county delegations supported the motion to uphold the objection, effectively ending the impeachment proceedings. Twelve senators opposed the motion, while none abstained.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi said the Senate had made it clear earlier in the day that if the preliminary objection concerning whether the Isiolo County Assembly had validly sat on June 18 and June 26, 2025, was upheld, then the impeachment would be automatically terminated.

“This motion having been passed, the impeachment proceedings in the matter of the proposed removal from office of the Governor of Isiolo County have forthwith terminated,” Kingi declared.

The Speaker further said that the special sittings scheduled to run until Thursday, July 10, would lapse with immediate effect, and the House would revert to its regular calendar on Wednesday, July 9.

Legislators emphasised that while impeachment is a constitutional mechanism for accountability, it must be conducted within the framework of the law.

“Justice must be served to all parties. In this case, we have the Isiolo County Assembly on one side and the governor on the other. The process and procedure must be followed,” Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu argued.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, while supporting the motion, warned against disregarding court orders.

“It would be the darkest day for any lawyer if court orders are disobeyed. The question of whether a sitting took place on that day has already been addressed. I am not convinced that there was no sitting on June 26, 2025,” Sifuna said.

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo urged fairness and strict adherence to the Constitution in handling such matters.

However, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot expressed concern about terminating impeachment proceedings prematurely.

“An impeachment process should not end at the preliminary objection level. I urge you to allow the process to go the full distance so that justice is served to the people of Isiolo and the issues raised are properly evaluated,” Cheruiyot said.

“There are serious issues that must be addressed. I will propose that we amend our Standing Orders to ensure future impeachment processes do not end prematurely.”

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Mandera Senator Ali Roba supported the proposal, saying, “Justice can only be achieved by examining the substance of the case. What we’re doing is killing the case before it even begins.”

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi strongly defended the legal process, saying there was no valid tabling of the motion in the first place.

“You cannot allow people to sit in a bar, present a motion to us, and this House sends away a governor who has been duly elected by the people. That will be setting a wrong precedent,” Osotsi said.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale warned MCAs across the country against flouting procedure in the removal of governors.

“Members of County Assemblies must understand that removing a governor is a serious matter that requires strict adherence to due process,” Khalwale said.

Kitui Senator Enock Wambua echoed the sentiment, insisting that the legality of the process must take precedence over the content of the accusations.

“If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit. It doesn’t matter what the Governor of Isiolo has done. We are here debating the process under which the governor was brought here. Let the MCAs of Isiolo get the process right. The Senate is here,” Wambua said.