The impeachment motion against Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo has triggered a high-stakes process now before the Senate, echoing similar proceedings involving governors such as Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu), Mike Sonko (Nairobi), and Kawira Mwangaza(Meru).
These cases have tested Kenya’s devolved system of government, and now Governor Guyo joins the list of county bosses whose fate rests with the Senate.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, while addressing senators on Monday, June 30, 2025, officially read out the seven charges facing Governor Guyo, following a resolution passed by the Isiolo County Assembly on June 27, 2025.
The motion invokes Article 181(1)(a), (b), and (c) of the Constitution, alongside Section 33 of the County Governments Act and Standing Order 83 of the Senate.
“In terms of Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33(3)(a) of the County Governments Act, and Standing Order 81A of the Senate Standing Orders, the Speaker of the Senate is required, within seven days of receiving the notice, to convene a sitting of the Senate to hear the charges,” Kingi stated.
Charge 1: Gross violation of the Constitution and other laws
Speaker Kingi said the governor violated several constitutional and statutory provisions, beginning with his failure to deliver the Annual State of the County Address for three consecutive years.
“The governor grossly violated Section 32(k) of the County Governments Act,” he said.
Additionally, Governor Guyo is accused of employing an inflated workforce without a legal basis. “He appointed 36 advisers, 31 chief officers, and two deputy county secretaries, in a county that has only six departments,” Kingi read, noting this resulted in a wage bill of 46 per cent breaching Articles 201(d) and (e) of the Constitution.
The Speaker further read that Guyo is accused of creating public offices without involving the County Public Service Board, thus violating Articles 73, 232, and 235 of the Constitution and Sections 59 to 62 of the County Governments Act, 2012.
The governor also stands accused of ignoring resolutions of the County Assembly, including those relating to controlling the county’s ballooning debt. “He refused to implement resolutions requiring him to control and manage the county public debt,” Kingi stated.
Moreover, he is alleged to have failed to utilise bursary funds as budgeted.
“A discrepancy of Ksh30 million cannot be accounted for,” said the Speaker.
Charge 2: Abuse of office
The second charge revolves around the abuse of power in staffing decisions. According to the charge sheet, Governor Guyo appointed advisers and officers contrary to legal guidelines.
“He appointed 36 advisers in defiance of a Salaries and Remuneration Commission circular dated 9 July 2013, and similar directives from the Transition Authority,” he read.
The Speaker noted that despite the county service staff establishment allowing for 18 chief officers, Governor Guyo appointed 31, while also placing them on two-year contracts, thus creating a “climate of fear and uncertainty.”
Additionally, he failed to renew contracts for County Executive Committee members, which the Members of the County Assembly say “significantly affected the continuity of service delivery.”
Charge 3: Gross misconduct
The third charge accuses Governor Guyo of unethical behaviour that violates the Leadership and Integrity Act and the Public Officer Ethics Act.
The Speaker read, “He made public statements against Senator Fatuma Adan of Isiolo, which were considered disrespectful and sexist,” adding that the remarks amounted to gender-based psychological violence and breached Article 10 and Article 28 of the Constitution.
Guyo is also accused of making “divisive, derogatory, and discriminatory remarks” against other clans in the county, which “sowed discord in the community and undermined public confidence in the integrity of his office.”
Further, he absented himself from the county for extended periods, choosing instead to run county affairs remotely from Nairobi. “This has stalled service delivery,” Kingi observed.
Charge 4: Incompetence
The fourth accusation focuses on the governor’s capacity to manage county affairs. While not expanded upon in detail during the Speaker’s reading, it is implied that the mismanagement, unauthorised appointments, and systemic financial discrepancies collectively demonstrate a lack of administrative competence.
Charge 5: Misappropriation of funds
Closely tied to the bursary fund irregularities, this charge alleges financial misconduct. The Speaker highlighted the Ksh30 million in unaccounted bursary allocations and suggested that broader misappropriations may be under investigation.
Charge 6: Undermining county institutions
Speaker Kingi detailed that the governor’s repeated disregard for County Assembly resolutions, including on public debt management and staffing decisions, amounted to a direct undermining of the authority of devolved institutions.
“He refused to implement resolutions of the County Assembly, thereby eroding oversight mechanisms established under the law,” the Speaker said.
Charge 7: Improper conduct in appointments
Finally, the governor is accused of engaging in irregular and non-transparent hiring practices.
“He appointed individuals to non-existent positions like deputy county secretaries, which are not recognised in the county staff establishment,” Kingi noted.
The appointment of chief officers on short-term contracts without merit-based processes is also viewed as a breach of Articles 73(1)(b) and 232 of the Constitution, which demand fair competition and merit in public appointments.
As the Senate prepares to deliberate on these grave allegations, Governor Guyo faces possible removal from office under Article 181(1) of the Constitution. The Senate has the mandate to uphold or overturn the County Assembly’s decision, a process likely to draw national attention as another test of devolution’s checks and balances.
