Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo Impeached

Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo has been impeached. On Thursday, June 26, 16 out of 18 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted in favour of the motion.

The impeachment was initiated by Sericho MCA Abubakar Godana, who accused the Governor of failing to deliver on development projects and falling short of county revenue collection targets.

On Thursday, the public took part in a public participation forum where opinions were divided over the move to impeach the governor.

Opponents of the impeachment criticised Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba, accusing him of coercing MCAs into supporting the motion. They warned of recalling MPs, emphasising that elected officials should maintain neutrality.

A gate leading to the Isiolo County Assembly. /ISIOLO COUNTY

On the other hand, supporters of the impeachment blamed Governor Guyo’s administration for persistent internal conflicts and expressed the need for a clean slate in county leadership.

The High Court in Isiolo had issued an order suspending the impeachment process until the case before it was fully heard and determined.

Justice Heston Nyaga, upon reviewing the application, affidavit, and petition, concluded that the petitioner had provided enough justification to warrant interim relief. He marked the case as urgent and directed that the documents be served to the respondents by close of business on June 17, 2025.

The court issued an order barring Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from "admitting, processing, debating, or considering" the impeachment motion that had been submitted to the assembly on June 10, 2025.

The motion was initially slated for debate on Tuesday, June 17. In response, Governor Guyo filed a legal challenge against the county assembly and its speaker.

Justice Nyaga further directed the third respondent to serve the Governor with a copy of the impeachment notice and all accompanying documents within 48 hours of receiving the court order.

The court granted the respondents seven days to file their replies, while the petitioner was allowed three days to submit and serve a supplementary affidavit after receiving those responses.

In the lead-up to the proceedings, MCAs were reportedly moved from Isiolo to Nakuru and later to Machakos, where they stayed in seclusion ahead of the impeachment discussions. Once the motion was introduced, the Governor was given a seven-day window to respond to the allegations.

Earlier this week, Isiolo residents convened in various social halls across the county’s 10 electoral wards to submit both oral and written views either backing or opposing the impeachment of Governor Abdi Guyo.

Security was intensified in key urban wards like Wabera, Bulapesa, and Burat, as well as remote regions such as Oldonyiro and Ngaremara. In response to claims of bias from both pro- and anti-impeachment groups, the government deployed a large number of police officers from six stations in neighbouring Meru County last Friday to help ensure neutrality and stability during the public participation process.

In the days leading up to the crucial Tuesday session, both sides — the MCAs advocating for the governor’s removal and his supporters — rallied their supporters and heightened tensions on the ground. Authorities grew increasingly worried that the escalating political climate could erupt into clashes, especially around the County Assembly compound, which also houses the Governor’s offices.

Tensions had already flared the previous Wednesday when demonstrators allied with one group confronted anti-riot police. The standoff escalated, prompting officers to fire tear gas and gunshots in the air to break up the crowd.

Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo speaking in a past event. /ISIOLO COUNTY GOVERNMENT