"I'm not guilty!" Kericho Governor Mutai denies all charges against him in impeachment trial

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai has pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him by the County Assembly of Kericho.

His plea was entered during a Senate session on Monday, setting the stage for a full impeachment hearing.

The Clerk of the Senate, Jeremiah Nyegenye, read out the charges, which include allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse of office, and misappropriation of public funds.

Mutai firmly denied each accusation.

His impeachment was initiated by 31 members of the Kericho County Assembly, led by Sigowet Ward Representative Kiprotich Rogony, following a vote held on October 2.

Among the charges is an allegation of sexual misconduct, where the governor is accused of forcing a woman into non-consensual sexual activity. The County Assembly claims to have evidence that will be presented during the Senate hearing.

The Kericho County Assembly requested the Senate to protect the witness who allegedly experienced sexual abuse at the hands of Governor Mutai. Through their lawyer, Elias Mutuma, the assembly has written to the Senate Speaker, seeking measures to protect the witness's identity and allow her to testify on camera.

"You will notice from the presentation and charges that one of our witnesses is a young lady who will be appearing before the Senate to testify on instances of sexual exploitation. To protect the identity of the witness, we have made an application to have this witness protected so that she is not exposed to the world," Mutuma said.

However, Mutuma expressed willingness for the witness to meet the governor and his legal team before her testimony.

"We can allow the council and the governor to meet the witness prior to the testimony so that they are able to know who the witness is," he said.

Public humiliation

Mutai has also been accused of public humiliation and offensive language, including referring to Kapkatet Ward Representative Amos Birir as "mentally blind and stupid" during a public event in August.

Hon. Dr Erick Mutai, the Governor of Kericho County, pleads not guilty to all the charges brought against him by the County Assembly of Kericho. #SenateLive pic.twitter.com/N3wdYtAbYi

— Senate of Kenya (@Senate_KE) October 14, 2024

Another serious accusation concerns the misappropriation of funds raised for victims of tragic accident in Londiani, a claim the governor has consistently denied.

The Senate proceedings began with preliminary matters, including a pre-hearing meeting among senators to review the rules of procedure. Afterward, both the County Assembly and Governor Mutai's legal teams are set to present their opening remarks before the County Assembly formally lays out its case against the governor.

The hearing will feature presentations of evidence, including witness testimonies, and cross-examinations over the course of several sessions. Governor Mutai's political future now rests in the hands of the Senate, as they deliberate on the serious allegations against him.

Addressing the people of Kericho in a recent public address, Mutai acknowledged potential errors in his leadership, asking for forgiveness.

"As leaders, we carry a heavy cross full of nails. Along the way, we are bound to stumble. I may have made those stumbles, and for that, I ask for your forgiveness," he said.

The Senate is expected to conclude the hearing on Tuesday, October 15, with a final vote determining whether the governor will remain in office or face removal.