Chaos as Kericho Governor Erick Mutai impeached

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai has been impeached. The embattled Governor was ousted after putting up a spirited defense throughout the day before the County Assembly.

All 33 MCAs voted to send him home for the second time, after the impeachment motion was moved by Sigowet Ward MCA Kiprotich Rogony.

The Governor was accused of, amongst other things, misappropriation of public and donor funds and abuse of office.

MCA Rogony, with the backing of a majority of his counterparts, accused the Governor of allowing the payment of Ksh.85 million to contractors for works not done, allegations Mutai vehemently denied.

The Governor, facing impeachment for the second time in as many years, has also been accused of misappropriating funds collected for the Londiani accident victims, as well as improper hiring of county staff - charges he denied.

The impeachment hearing had been temporarily halted by the High Court in Kericho after two petitioners had challenged it on grounds that it was unlawful.

The impeachment hearings ended as they had begun in chaotic scenes; inside the assembly, a scuffle among the MCAs erupted once the vote was concluded, leaving one MCA injured.

In the morning, youth had engaged police in running battles as they attempted to interfere with the proceedings.

A scuffle between the County Assembly security officers and the crowds resulted in damages to a county vehicle within the House premises.