Kericho County was on Friday, August 15, plunged into tension and chaos when Governor Erick Mutai appeared before the County Assembly for his second impeachment hearing since his election, accused of misappropriating funds.
The proceedings began amid tension, marred by an attempted arson attack on the county assembly building and violent street clashes, which prompted a heavy police presence to be deployed to restore order.
The Speaker of the Kericho County Assembly, Patrick Mutai, strongly condemned the attempted arson attack on the assembly chambers in the early hours of Friday morning.
‘’The incident that occurred in the assembly this morning at around 4am, unidentified persons stormed the assembly trying to burn it, they had burnt some minor sections, gladly our security officers were able to put out the fire in time,’’ the speaker read to the Members of the County assembly.
The Speaker revealed that the County had already reported the incident to the National Police Service and that investigations were ongoing to identify those responsible.
Security around the County Assembly had been visibly heightened, with dozens of armed officers stationed at key entry points and patrols sweeping the surrounding streets.
Meanwhile, the police were engaged in running battles with county residents trying to access the County Assembly during the hearing.
Videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke showed residents running into the roads while police lobbed teargas cannisters to keep them away from the county assembly as the hearing continued.
The impeachment motion, tabled by a section of MCAs, accuses Governor Mutai of gross misconduct and abuse of office, specifically citing irregular procurement and mismanagement of public funds amounting to Ksh85 million.
The governor denied all allegations, calling the process politically motivated.
This is not the first time the governor has faced an impeachment motion. In a previous impeachment motion in 2024, 31 County MCAs passed the motion to axe the county boss, but he was saved after 34 senators voted to discontinue the hearing against 10 voted in support.
If the impeachment sails through both in the county assembly and the Senate, Mutai will join other governors like Mike Mbuvi Sonko, Ferdinand Waititu, and Kawira Mwangaza who were impeached.
