Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo on Tuesday survived an impeachment attempt after the Senate by majority dismissed the case filed by the County Assembly on a technicality.
This is after the senators upheld preliminary objections raised by the governor, arguing that a valid impeachment had not occurred at the County Assembly.
They said there was an active court order barring the process.
A total of 31 elected senators (representing county delegations) voted to uphold the objection, effectively knocking out the impeachment bid.
Some 12 senators voted to reject the motion on the preliminary objections.
The lawmakers emphasised that impeachment is both a process and a procedure that must be guided by the Constitution and applicable laws.
If any, the Members of County Assembly will many a similar attempt after six months.
The majority of the senators insisted on due process in the impeachment.
“Justice must be served to all parties. In this case, we have the Isiolo Couassemblymbly on one side and the governor on the other. The process and procedure must be followed,” said Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, while supporting the motion to uphold the preliminary objection, urged the House to respect judicial authority.
“It would be the darkest day for any lawyer if court orders are disobeyed. The question of whether a sitting took place on that day has already been addressed. I am not convinced that there was no sitting on June 26, 2025,” Sifuna said.
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo called on fellow senators to be fair and to uphold the Constitution and all relevant laws in handling such matters.
However, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) — whose own governor, Eric Mutai, survived impeachment on procedural grounds — argued against terminating impeachment cases at the preliminary stage.
“An impeachment process should not end at the preliminary objection level. I urge you to allow the process to go the full distance so that justice is served to the people of Isiolo and the issues raised are properly evaluated,” he said.
“There are serious issues that must be addressed. I will propose that we amend our Standing Orders to ensure future impeachment processes do not end prematurely,” Cheruiyot added.
Mandera Senator Ali Roba echoed the sentiment, urging senators to hear the matter to its logical conclusion.
“Justice can only be achieved by examining the substance of the case. What we’re doing is killing the case before it even begins,” Roba said.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said that they cannot violate the law and that there was no sitting and tabling of a motion to impeach the Governor.
“You cannot allow people to sit in a bar, present a motion to us, and this house sends away a governor who has been duly elected by the people. That will be setting a wrong precedent,” Osotsi said.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said that Members of the County Assembly across the country need to respect the process of removing governors from office by following the due process and not using shortcuts to carry out such a serious matter.
Kitui Senator Enock Wambua said that it does not matter what the Governor has done, but the process must be followed to the letter.
“If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit. It doesn’t matter what the Governor of Isiolo has done. We are here debating the process under which the governor was brought here. Let the MCAs of Isiolo get the process right. The Senate is here,” he said.
Guyo’s team left with their heads high amid calls for dialogue with the MCA for the benefit of devolution and Isiolo people.
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