Kericho Governor Eric Mutai has been impeached by the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).
Mutai was impeached after 31 MCAs voted in support of motion while 16 boycotted the session.
Governor Mutai was accused of gross misconduct, violation of the Constitution, among other issues.
This is after the County Assembly defied court orders stopping the debate on impeachment motion against Mutai.
In his ruling, Justice Joseph Sergon, barred the county assembly from continuing with the impeachment process until a petition filed by Governor Mutai is heard on October 15, 2024.
However, the Court order that Mutai claimed would halt the impeachment proceedings was reportedly not served in time, allowing the motion to proceed as scheduled.
At the same time, the assembly had expected Governor Mutai to appear in person to defend himself against the serious charges. However, he was absent and instead sent a legal team led by Katwa Kigen.
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Allegations Against the Governor
The impeachment motion tabled by Sigowet MCA Kiprotich Rogony accuses the Governor of gross misconduct, gross violation of the constitution, gross violation of various national and County laws and abuse of office.
The MCAs have also accused Mutai of failing to go to work despite the hefty allowances he receives and indecent sexual conduct.
“There are numerous complaints of Governor’s indecent and natural sexual behavior by female partners who accuse the Governor of, instance, forcing them to be unconsented anal sex, dangerous and unprotected sex,” read part of the motion.
“The Victim of the abuse seeks anonymity at this stage and the Mover of the Motion shall, at the hearing of this Motion, seek to have the Victim heard in camera to protect her identity and dignity. Further, for the sake of concealing her identity, the Victim will be identified in a pseudo name.”
Furthermore, the mover of the motion has accused the Governor for “persistently intimidating, molesting, harassing county officers who do not sing to his tune leaving officers jittery and creating an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and despondency in the county and thus creating a toxic work environment.
Governor Eric Mutai Apologizes
The Governor on September 26 held back his tears while apologizing to Kericho MCAs and the residents after a notice of motion for his impeachment was tabled before the Assembly on Tuesday, September 24.
Eric Mutai while attending the funeral of former Kipchimchim ward representative Bernard Mutai sad he was “someone’s son, and a father with a young family.”
“To the residents of Kericho, if I have made any mistake, I ask for forgiveness. To the MCAs that I have worked with led by the leader of majority, on behalf of my children please forgive me,” he added.
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