Kericho County Governor Eric Mutai impeached.
Kericho Governor Dr. Eric Mutai has been impeached by the County Assembly following a vote that has seen 31 MCAs support his ouster.
The impeachment, was last week introduced in the Assembly by Sigowet Ward MCA, Kiprotich Rogony, citing gross misconduct, discrimination and misappropriation of public Resources.
Kericho Governor Erick Mutai had apologized to Members of the Kericho County Assembly (MCAs) and residents days after a notice of motion for his impeachment was tabled before the County Assembly on Tuesday, September 24.
In tears, the embattled governor pleaded to be spared from the axe,
"I am 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 stated.
Governor Mutai said that if the MCAs see it fit to punish him, they should do it with compassion.
" Please forgive me. As leaders, we carry a heavy burden and along the way, we may stumble. I may have made those stumbles, and for that, I ask for your forgiveness. If you must cane me, do so, using a light stick."
When And Who Tabled the Impeachment?
On Tuesday, September 24, a motion aimed at impeaching the governor was tabled set in motion the process of an attempt to remove him from office.
The motion was sponsored by Sigowet MCA Kiprotich Rogony who accused the governor of misconduct in public office, illegal tender awards and violation of the Constitution.
The impeachment motion had already garnered a total of 37 signatures out of the 47 MCAs in the Kericho County Assembly.
The motion alleges that the Governor is involved in misappropriation of the county resources and called him out for managing a dysfunctional finance system.
It also mentioned that the governor has been awarding tenders and contracts to people and companies that are close to his office, terming it illegal.
Another accusation was based on his failure to automate the revenue collection systems for the county. Mr. Rogony reports that the negligence has exposed the county to a significant revenue loss.
Grounds For Mutai’s Impeachment.
To validate the accusations against him, MCAs tabled evidence which included video clips that showed Mutai uttering statements aimed at belittling some MCA’s and members of the public.
Mr. Rogony, the mover of the motion, further recounted an event that occurred on August 24, 2023, at Kapkatet Sub-County Hospital where Mutai scolded Amos Birir the area MCA, terming him as mentally blind and stupid.
The Governor is also accused of sexual indecency thus marring the reputation of his office.
Mr. Rogony’s accusations are anchored on abuse of office by exposing it to shame and ridicule. To this end the governor was forced to plead for mercy in tears at the funeral of the former Kipchimchim council Bernard.
DECISION?
Following the tabling of the Motion in the County Assembly, a decision was reached on the next fate for the Governor.
In his ruling, County Assembly Speaker Patrick Mutai set October 2, for the House to dispense the matter.
During this day, Mutai said, the governor will appear to defend himself from the accusations levelled against him.
What Next For Governor Mutai?
Governor Mutai was expected to defend himself against these charges but did not attend the session today. Instead, his legal team, led by Katwa Kigen, represented him.
The case will now move to the Senate, where the speaker of the County Assembly will inform them of the governor's impeachment.
