Kericho Governor’s Impeachment Trial Takes Twist as MCA Disowns Vote

By Andrew Mbuva 

Governor Eric Mutai’s impeachment trial before the Senate took a dramatic turn after his first witness claimed the vote at the Kericho County Assembly failed to meet the constitutional two-thirds threshold.

Martin Cheruiyot Kiplagat, an MCA, told Senators that 18 members, including himself, declined to vote during the chaotic session that ousted the Governor. He said the lawmakers feared manipulation of a new electronic voting system introduced just hours before the Motion was debated.

“We had not been trained on the new system. We asked the Speaker to allow roll call voting, but he rejected our request. So, we chose not to vote,” Kiplagat said.

He insisted that only 29 out of 47 MCAs participated, a figure below the two-thirds majority required for impeachment. He further argued that members were never notified in advance about the electronic system and that no guidelines were issued to govern its use.

However, evidence presented by the County Assembly contradicted his testimony. Digital logs tabled in the Senate indicated that Kiplagat himself voted in support of the Motion.

The MCA denied the claim, suggesting his account may have been compromised. He said he and 17 other MCAs had filed a formal complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, alleging unauthorized access to the system.

But lawyer Elias Mutuma, representing the County Assembly, dismissed him as a dishonest witness, citing Hansard records showing that he spoke in support of the report recommending Mutai’s removal.

Senators also expressed skepticism, particularly after Kiplagat admitted he did not carry his phone to the chamber—the very device through which the electronic vote link had been sent.

“What were you going to do in the House if you did not have the tools of trade?” asked Senator Boni Khalwale. Senator William Kisang added: “No serious person is reminded to carry their tools of work.”

The Senate continues to hear evidence in the high-stakes case that will determine Governor Mutai’s political fate.