Famous lawyer and university don Elisha Ongoya has made a comeback at the Senate for yet another high-profile impeachment hearing.
Ongoya, who earned national recognition for his articulate legal arguments during the impeachment proceedings against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, will once again step into the Senate chambers—this time as defence counsel for Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo.
Starting Tuesday, Ongoya will represent Governor Guyo, who is facing an impending impeachment following a vote of no confidence passed by the Isiolo County Assembly last month.
The return of Ongoya to the Senate is expected to draw considerable public attention, given his past reputation for turning legal proceedings into televised courtroom masterclasses.
Observers will be watching closely to see whether Ongoya’s return will shift the tide in favour of Guyo, whose political future now hangs in the balance amid mounting pressure from both county leaders and the public.
Ongoya will lead the team of the counsels, working closely with Eric Theuri (former LSK President), Elias Mutuma, Tally Israel, Mercilino Leisagor, Miriam Rebbecca, and 5 others, among them legal assistants to the team.
Ongoya rose to national prominence during the impeachment proceedings of Gachagua, where his sharp legal wit and commanding courtroom presence captivated Kenyans. He famously took on Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna Mutuse—the sponsor of the impeachment motion—in a series of intense cross-examinations that quickly became viral sensations.
Clips from the sessions, showcasing Ongoya's eloquent delivery and piercing questions, flooded social media platforms, with many Kenyans turning the courtroom exchanges into humorous skits, memes, and TikTok reenactments.
His performance not only elevated public interest in the hearings but also earned him a reputation as one of the country’s most formidable legal minds.
During the hearing on Tuesday, embattled Guyo took the stand to respond to multiple charges, including gross violation of the Constitution for allegedly failing to deliver the annual address to the County Assembly for three consecutive years.
The governor is also accused of presiding over a bloated county workforce by appointing 36 individuals as advisors and other senior officers without the involvement of the County Public Service Board. Some of the appointments are said to lack legal backing or approval from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Further, the governor is facing claims of mismanaging the county's bursary programme, with over Ksh30 million reportedly unaccounted for and the funds not being distributed fairly and transparently.
Appearing before the Senate, Governor Guyo pleaded not guilty to all the accusations levelled against him.
The Senate is expected to vote on Thursday, July 10, after hearing final submissions, to determine whether Governor Guyo will remain in office or be removed.
Meanwhile, the proceedings are shaping up to be a clash of legal minds, with renowned constitutional lawyer and former presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot leading the legal team representing the Isiolo County Assembly.
