Senate begins two-day plenary impeachment trial for Nyamira governor Nyaribo

The Senate will today begin a two-day plenary hearing to determine whether Nyamira Governor Amos Kimwomi Nyaribo should remain in office, following his impeachment by the county assembly last month.

All preparations have been completed, with senators expected to sit from 9:00am as a trial court, to examine allegations ranging from abuse of office to constitutional violations.

The proceedings will formally open with the reading of the impeachment charges, after which Governor Nyaribo will enter a plea, either admitting or denying responsibility. The County Assembly, which initiated the impeachment, will then present its case, providing evidence and cross-examining witnesses to support the removal of the governor.

Nyaribo’s defence team will follow, challenging the allegations, calling witnesses and conducting cross-examinations. Once both sides have presented their cases, the Senate will debate the motion before taking a decisive vote on Thursday, December 4, 2025. A majority of county delegations will be required to either uphold or dismiss the charges.

According to a letter referenced as SPK/CAN/1/2025, dated November 25, 2025 and received by the Office of the Speaker of the Senate on November 26, the Speaker of the Nyamira County Assembly notified the Senate of the approved impeachment motion and forwarded supporting documents as evidence.

Governor Nyaribo was impeached on two grounds: gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, and abuse of office.

Under the first charge, the assembly accused the governor of engaging in, endorsing and supporting the unlawful “Bunge Mashinani” initiative, giving illegal assent to the Nyamira County Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2024 and unlawfully appointing Dr Peris Nyaboke Oroko (Peris Mongare) as a County Executive Committee Member.

He is also accused of illegally appointing members of the Municipal Boards of Nyamira and Keroka, unlawfully constituting a selection panel for the County Public Service Board (CPSB) and failing to appoint the chairperson, secretary and members of the CPSB.

Additional allegations include failing to deliver the State of the County Address and annual reports and failing to comply with court orders regarding the appointment of Clive Ogwora to the County Executive Committee.

On abuse of office, the assembly cited irregular staff recruitment without budgetary provision, influencing unlawful appointments of senior human resource officials and enriching himself through irregular salary arrears.

Members of the County Assembly also alleged involvement in a payroll fraud syndicate causing public funds loss, dual appointments outside the lawful establishment and usurping the powers of the Auditor General and the CPSB. Nyaribo is further accused of unlawfully suspending the Secretary of the CPSB.

Majority Leader and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot had earlier moved a motion to establish an eleven-member select committee to handle the impeachment, but it collapsed after failing to get a seconder, paving the way for a full plenary hearing.

The Speaker directed the Clerk of the Senate to issue invitations to appear on Thursday, November 27, 2025, and instructed both parties to file their responses by Monday, December 1, 2025, at 5.00 pm All documents, including the plenary hearing programme, were circulated to senators by the close of business on Tuesday.

The Senate also altered its calendar to allow morning sittings on Wednesday and Thursday, with afternoon sittings extended until the listed business concludes.

Speaking in the chamber, Cheruiyot urged senators to prioritise the matter, saying, “I am used to a custom, Mr Speaker, where we’ve sat in this House sometimes even up to as late as 3:00 am to vote and consider weighty matters. It’s not a light matter when a county disagrees to the level of saying send this governor away.”

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“Therefore, I want to plead with colleagues that please let us find the time to come be seated here by 9:00am tomorrow and have the patience to set all else aside until we conclude this business. Is the import of this motion and nothing else.”

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi is expected to outline the timeline for presentations by both the County Assembly and the governor’s defence team once the trial opens. Governor Nyaribo will be removed if at least 24 senators determine that the charges meet the constitutional threshold for his removal.

He will attend the hearings in person and will be represented by a seven-member legal team including Elias Mutua, Zelmer Bonuke, Ombui Ratemo, Brianalee Murithii and Erastus Orina, supported by legal assistants Sylivia Njoki and Michelle Makandi.

He has also disclosed four key witnesses to testify in his defence.

Meanwhile, three MCAs, Priscilla Nyatichi (nominated), Julius Nyangana (Rigoma), and Elijah Abere (Mekenene) have denied participating in the impeachment vote, alleging that their signatures were forged. They have filed complaints at Nyali Police Station in Mombasa, claiming they were not present in Nyamira during the proceedings.

This marks the third attempt to remove Governor Nyaribo from office, highlighting growing divisions in the county’s political leadership.