Governor Guyo's impeachment to proceed in plenary, Speaker Kingi rules

Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo is set to appear before the full Senate on July 8 and 9 to answer to a raft of serious impeachment charges after the House on Monday rejected a proposal to form a special committee to investigate him.

The decision now paves the way for the plenary to handle the matter directly, with Speaker Amason Kingi calling for the governor and the Isiolo County Assembly  to appear before the Senate next week.

This follows the collapse of a motion by Senate Majority Whip Bonny Khalwale (Kakamega), who had proposed the establishment of an 11-member special committee to probe the charges against Governor Guyo.

“I want to appeal to you to weigh this important issue carefully. The country has placed immense confidence in us, and it is important that Governor Guyo is given the best opportunity to be heard,” Khalwale said while moving the motion.

However, the motion failed to secure a seconder after Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi) declined to support it, insisting that the full Senate should handle the matter.

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“Since I joined this Senate, we’ve often gone the committee way. But this time, I believe it’s important to let the full Senate decide. I therefore vehemently oppose this motion,” Madzayo stated.

Following the failed motion, Speaker Kingi directed that the impeachment hearings proceed before the full House and instructed Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye to issue formal appearance notices.

Both the Governor and the County Assembly must file their written responses by 5:00pm on July 4, with submissions set to be tabled to senators by July 7.

Governor Guyo is facing a litany of accusations, among them gross violation of the Constitution for failing to deliver the mandatory State of the County Address for three consecutive years.

He is also accused of illegally appointing 36 advisors, 31 chief officers, and two deputy county secretaries far exceeding Isiolo’s six departmental needs.

This alleged overstaffing has reportedly pushed the county’s wage bill to 46 percent of its annual revenue, breaching the 35 percent legal threshold.

The Governor is further accused of creating positions within the county government without the approval of the County Public Service Board.

Sericho MCA Abubakar Godana, who sponsored the impeachment motion, said, “The Governor has failed to provide leadership, frustrated development efforts, and fostered a toxic environment for staff and citizens alike.”

Guyo, who has denied all allegations, will have the opportunity to defend himself during the Senate hearings.