Bleak future for Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo as MCAs rally to impeach him
The governor, who had been formally invited to appear before the Assembly to defend himself against the allegations, failed to attend the session
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo has been impeached by Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) following a vote held on Thursday, despite a court order temporarily halting the process.
In an official communication from the County Assembly, 16 out of 18 MCAs voted in support of the impeachment motion tabled by Sericho Ward MCA Abubakar Godana.
Two members were absent during the vote, and no votes were cast against the motion.
Governor Guyo, who had been formally invited to appear before the Assembly to defend himself against the allegations, failed to attend the session.
The Assembly noted his absence and proceeded with the matter in line with its Standing Orders and legal provisions.
“This process followed weeks of public engagement, legal review, and intensive debate across the county’s ten wards. It reflects the Assembly’s unwavering commitment to accountability, constitutional responsibility, and the rule of law,” the communication read in part.
The Assembly Speaker is now expected to formally transmit the resolution to the Speaker of the Senate in accordance with Article 181 of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 33 of the County Governments Act.
The Senate will consider the matter and determine whether to uphold or overturn the impeachment.
Ironically, the vote came just days after the governor secured a temporary court order suspending the impeachment proceedings.
Governor Guyo had filed a petition at the Isiolo High Court seeking conservatory orders to stop the County Assembly from debating or processing the impeachment motion.
Justice Heston Mbogo certified the matter as urgent and issued interim orders halting the process.
“An order is hereby issued restraining and preventing the respondents, either by themselves or their agents, from admitting, processing, debating or in any way considering the Notice of Motion dated June 10, 2025, for the proposed removal from office of the Governor of Isiolo County,” read the order in part.
The motion, initially scheduled for debate on June 20, was halted by the court directive.
Justice Mbogo further directed the County Assembly to serve the Governor with a copy of the motion and all supporting documents within 48 hours.
The Assembly, along with Speaker Mohammed Roba, was also ordered to file its response to the petition within seven days.
Before the court order, the Assembly had rolled out a public participation exercise, inviting residents from all ten wards — Chari, Cherab, Ngare Mara, Burat, Oldonyiro, Wabera, Bula Pesa, Kina, Garbatulla, and Sericho — to share views on the motion.
Citizens were encouraged to submit written memoranda to the Clerk of the County Assembly, signaling an attempt to incorporate public opinion into the impeachment process.
However, the process has been marred by political tension and confusion.
Following the tabling of the motion, reports emerged that 16 MCAs had gone into hiding and switched off their mobile phones.
This sparked speculation about internal divisions and possible intimidation within the Assembly.
Majority Leader Abubakar Godana (Garbatulla MCA) and Kinna MCA Abdinur Dima Jillo, however, remained visible and reportedly shifted allegiance in support of the embattled governor.
With the impeachment vote passed, attention now turns to the Senate, which is mandated by law to either uphold or overturn the decision after hearing both sides.
If the Senate upholds the impeachment, Governor Guyo will be officially removed from office. If overturned, he will retain his seat.
The unfolding drama in Isiolo marks one of the most significant political developments in the county since devolution and underscores the ongoing challenges of accountability, governance, and legal interpretation in the devolved units.
As he prepares to appear before the Senate to defend himself, Governor Guyo’s fate now hangs in the balance, caught between the County Assembly’s resolution and the courts’ intervention.
He is likely to have a difficult time in seeking to rescue his political career as he is not in good books with senators.
Several committees including those of Health , Finance and Budget, Labour and County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) have previously issued warrants for his arrest and fined him Sh500,000 after failing to honour summonses.
The Labour committee, chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, accused the former Nairobi County Assembly Leader of Majority of demonstrating high level of notoriety and disdain for the Senate as an oversight institution of devolved units.
The County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) also threatened to halt funds to the county or recommending its dissolution if Guyo continues to snub its summonses.
The committee led by Senator Moses Kajwang’ traveled to Isiolo to question governor Guyo about audit queries only to find the County Assembly and its officials absent.
Guyo was also criticised recently for making sexist remarks on area Senator Fatuma Dullo, who has severally questioned the utilisation of funds in the county as well as hiring and recruitment.
