Senate to hear Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo's impeachment in plenary on July 8 and 9

The Senate will conduct the impeachment hearing of Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo in plenary on July 8 and 9, after a proposed 11-member special committee to handle the case failed to gain enough support in the House.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi issued the directive on Monday, saying the impeachment process would proceed before the full House as provided for under Article 181 of the Constitution and Section 33 of the County Governments Act.

“I wish to report to the Senate that I have received a message from the Speaker of the County Assembly of Isiolo on the passage of a Motion for removal from office, by way of impeachment, of Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan,” Kingi told senators.

The impeachment motion, transmitted via a letter dated June 27, 2025, accuses the governor of gross violation of the Constitution and the law, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.

According to the County Assembly, Governor Abdi failed to deliver the annual State of the County Address for three consecutive years, in breach of section 30(2)(k) of the County Governments Act.

He is also accused of employing a bloated executive of 36 advisors, 31 Chief Officers, and two Deputy County Secretaries—positions not recognised in law, thereby inflating the county's wage bill to 46 per cent of its annual revenue, above the 35 per cent ceiling set under the Public Finance Management Regulations.

Further, the motion alleges the governor ignored constitutional principles on public service by creating offices without involving the County Public Service Board and failed to act on resolutions of the County Assembly regarding public debt management.

Misuse of bursary funds

The Isiolo County Assembly also flagged the misuse of Sh30 million in bursary funds, which it said cannot be accounted for, in contravention of Articles 201(d) and (e) of the Constitution.

On the charge of abuse of office, Governor Abdi is accused of making illegal appointments in defiance of circulars from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and other intergovernmental guidelines.

The motion states he appointed 36 advisors despite a legal cap of three, and appointed chief officers under two-year contracts, which allegedly fostered a climate of fear and instability in the county administration.

The third charge, gross misconduct, centres on claims that the governor made public remarks deemed disrespectful and sexist towards Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo. He is also accused of making divisive statements against certain clans in the county and running county affairs remotely from Nairobi.

Supporting documents

Supporting documents forwarded to the Senate include the notice of motion, Hansard reports, signed verification forms, video and photographic evidence from public participation forums, and memoranda submitted by residents either supporting or opposing the impeachment.

Speaker Kingi reminded senators of the constitutional and legal requirements governing impeachment proceedings, warning them against making public comments on the matter to avoid prejudicing the outcome.

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“The Senate shall now investigate the matter in plenary. As such, I caution Honourable Senators to refrain from public commentary on the Governor or the impeachment proceedings. Any such commentary would amount to anticipation of debate,” he said.

Kingi added that the Senate has considered seven impeachment cases during the current Parliament, with five heard in plenary and two by special committees.

“This is the third governor to face an impeachment motion in this term. The Senate must approach this matter with utmost responsibility,” he said.

Governor Abdi will now be required to appear before the full Senate to respond to the charges on the appointed dates.