Isiolo MCAs express fear, allege threats to their lives ahead of tomorrow’s ouster debate against governor Guyo 

Isiolo Members of the County Assembly have expressed fear for their lives over the motion to impeach embattled governor Abdi Guyo.

The political standoff between the county legislators and the governor took a new twist after 16 of the 18 legislators who addressed the press last Friday claimed that they were being threatened and intimidated.

All the 18 MCAs signed the motion to impeach Guyo.

Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Mohammed Roba said the top County Executive officials were harassing and issuing threats to the Members of the County Assembly.

According to the speaker, the threats indicate the extent of poor leadership being faced in the Guyo-led administration.

“The threats and harassment by top executive officials show the extent of criminality and poor leadership plaguing Isiolo. We call for sobriety even as we condemn the growing political intolerance,” the Speaker stated.

The MCAs have been playing hide and seek with individuals whom they say have been attempting to intimidate them to drop the impeachment motion.

Burat MCA Nicholas Lorot narrated that last week they were trailed by suspicious vehicles from the City of Nakuru to Machakos, where they have been hiding after switching off their phones following the tabling of the notice of motion.

The MCA revealed that one of their supporters had been abducted before being beaten and dumped.

“We were followed by armed individuals at 3 am until we got to our destination in Machakos. One of our supporters was abducted before he was beaten and dumped in a bush. Nevertheless, we shall not be intimidated,” he stated.

Ngaremara MCA Peter Losu said that as they plan their travel back for the debating of the motion tomorrow, they’ll be cautious, as he added that they have recorded a statement with the police.

“We shall perform our duties according to the Law without fear or intimidation. We have recorded a statement with the police and hope appropriate action shall be taken,” Losu stated.

The MCAs have appealed for more security to be accorded to them.

This is even as Samburu leaders have offered to mediate the standoff between the MCAs and Guyo, as they blamed it on external forces.

Samburu Council of Elders chairperson Joyce Nairisiae said the two need to have a non-confrontational resolution.

“Impeachment should be the last resort. We urge the MCAs to embrace dialogue with the governor,” he stated.

In a heavily guarded session, Sericho Member of County Assembly Abubakar Godana tabled the notice of motion for Guyo.

The MCAs initiated the impeachment of Guyo over several allegations, including gross misconduct, violation of the constitution, and other laws, as they also accused him of abusing his office.

All eighteen MCAs had signed the impeachment petition before the notice was given, even though allegations now reveal that two MCAs have shifted to Guyo’s side.

In the motion, Godana cited that the Isiolo County Administrator has violated Chapter Six of the Constitution, the Leadership and Integrity Act, and the Public Officers Act.

“These Acts provide for respect for the rule of law, good governance, accountability, and transparency as key principles of leadership,” Godana said.

The MCAs have accused Guyo of presiding over numerous stalled development projects and failing to meet county revenue targets for Isiolo.

According to the legislators, the governor did not need to appoint 3 chief Officers and 36 advisors, considering that it receives a lower revenue allocation from the national government.

“This is against prudent use of public resources as provided for in the Public Finance Management Act. It is further contrary to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission circular, which limits the number of advisors to four individuals,” the motion reads in part.

The first-term governor has also been accused of creating an environment of fear and uncertainty by issuing two-year contracts to chief officers, as they further alleged that he failed to renew the contracts of 20 chief officers but renewed five through a questionable process.

“The governor has violated Article 73 of the Constitution and the Leadership and Integrity Act by failing to professionally perform his duties, often being absent from office and executing county functions from Nairobi,” Godana claimed in the notice of motion.

This is even as the governor has been cited for gross misconduct and using demeaning words against Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dulla, whom he made sexist remarks about during the Madaraka Day Celebration, even as they have been having constant fights.

Guyo is also accused of using inappropriate language to undermine the Public Service Board of the marginalized County.