NAIROBI, Kenya – Kericho Governor Eric Mutai has successfully dodged an impeachment motion after Senators cited procedural technicalities, specifically the failure of County Assembly members to meet the required two-thirds majority threshold for removal.
In a session led by Speaker Amason Kingi, the Senate voted on the motion after the Speaker refrained from making an immediate ruling, indicating that the implications of the decision would significantly affect the ongoing impeachment trial.
Ultimately, a majority of Senators sided with a preliminary objection to the motion, with 34 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) supporting the objection and 14 opposing it.
“The motion having been approved, the hearing proceedings on the proposed removal from office by impeachment of Eric Mutai, the Governor of Kericho County, is hereby terminated,” Speaker Kingi announced.
The vote followed arguments presented by lawyer Katwa Kigen, who highlighted that the 31 MCAs who voted for Mutai’s impeachment fell short of the necessary threshold, which he calculated to be 31.3 MCAs.
Kigen contended that the figure should be rounded up to 32, while the County Assembly maintained its position to round down to the nearest whole number, resulting in a count of 31.
This ruling not only marks a significant moment for Governor Mutai but also raises questions about the legislative processes and thresholds governing impeachment motions in the county
