Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo has officially been impeached by the County Assembly in a dramatic vote held Thursday, marking a new chapter of political upheaval in the arid northern county.
The impeachment motion passed with 16 out of 18 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) supporting his removal from office. The decision followed weeks of tension and legal maneuvering, with Governor Guyo accused of gross misconduct, mismanagement of public funds, and flouting hiring laws.
The process culminated just hours after public participation forums exposed a deep divide among residents. Some opposed the motion, accusing County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba of orchestrating a political witch-hunt. They warned of possible recalls of elected leaders, citing growing frustration over the politicisation of governance.
Others, however, welcomed the move, citing persistent wrangles, stalled development, and a crisis in service delivery.
Guyo’s administration has been under scrutiny since 2024, particularly over issues of accountability and strained relations with national oversight bodies.
The tipping point came when he snubbed two Senate summonses to appear before the Senate Health Committee regarding health system failures in the county.
A Senate Public Accounts Committee report also flagged Guyo for the irregular hiring of 36 advisors, against the legally sanctioned limit of four—raising alarm over “massive wastage” of county resources.
The impeachment drama nearly collapsed earlier this week after Speaker Roba was arrested, an incident he blamed on the governor’s allies seeking to block the process. Roba was later released on bond, allowing Thursday’s session to proceed.
The courts had previously issued a temporary stay on the impeachment, but this was lifted just before the decisive vote.
Governor Guyo now has the option of challenging the impeachment in court—arguing procedural violations or constitutional breaches, as per Article 181 of the Constitution and Section 33 of the County Governments Act.
