NAIROBI, Kenya – Senate Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi has gazetted three special sittings of the Senate to deliberate on the impeachment of Kericho Governor Erick Mutai.
In a notice issued on Thursday, August 21, Kingi said the House will convene on Wednesday, August 27, Thursday, August 28, and Friday, August 29, starting at 9 a.m. each day at the Senate Chambers in Nairobi.
The sessions will exclusively focus on hearing and determining charges against Mutai, who was impeached last Friday after 33 out of 47 Kericho MCAs voted to remove him from office. The motion was tabled by Sigowet MCA Kiprotich Rogony.
The Senate resolved that the matter be handled in plenary rather than by a special committee, after Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot’s motion to form an 11-member team was rejected.
Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo declined to second Cheruiyot’s motion, paving the way for a full Senate trial.
“This matter will proceed in plenary. No other business shall be transacted during the special sittings,” Kingi said, adding that the Senate will adjourn until September 23 after the conclusion of the trial.
Mutai now faces three charges: gross violation of the Constitution and misuse of public funds, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.
The accusations include authorising fictitious payments worth Sh85.7 million for undelivered goods, inflating contracts, incomplete projects, nepotism, and contempt of court orders.
This is the second time the governor has faced impeachment proceedings in the Senate.
He survived a similar attempt in October 2024 when the Kericho County Assembly failed to reach the required two-thirds majority.
If the Senate upholds the impeachment, Mutai will be removed from office. If dismissed, he will resume his duties as Kericho governor.
