Drama in Senate as MCA disowns vote in Kericho governor impeachment
By William Muthama, August 29, 2025Confusion was witnessed in the Senate during the hearing of Governor Erick Mutai’s impeachment after Kericho County Assembly Member (MCA) Hillary Kibet denied taking part in the vote, despite county records indicating he supported the motion.
Speaking in the Senate on Friday, August 29, 2025, Kibet told senators that he did not participate in the electronic voting on August 15, 2025, at the Kericho County Assembly.
“I abstained. I never voted. I did not touch any button,” he said, stressing that he was not involved in the impeachment process and that his position was clearly reflected in his sworn affidavits and oath before the Senate.
During cross-examination by Governor Mutai’s lawyer, Katwa Kigen, Kibet insisted that he was wrongly listed among those who voted “Yes.” Asked whether he had cast a vote, he responded firmly:
“No, not at all. I abstained. I never voted. I completely didn’t touch any button.” He added that his stance had been consistent and was captured in both of his affidavits filed with the Senate.
Kibet explained that the electronic voting system was introduced at the last minute without training or a clear manual. “I didn’t vote because there was detection of fraud, a sinister motive, and the system was introduced at the last minute. We were never trained on it,” he told senators.
He further testified that together with 17 other MCAs, he had objected to the use of electronic voting and even stood up during divisions to demand an alternative process, but their protests were ignored.
Pressed by Kigen on whether he trusted the system, Kibet said: “I never trusted the system. I personally had the intention not to support the motion of impeachment, but because I did not have faith in the system, I abstained.” He also revealed that out of 47 MCAs, only 29 votes were officially recorded, yet he and 17 others had not participated.
The MCA went on to claim that his vote was later impersonated. “The motion mover, Honorable Rogon, called me the following day and said he had voted on my behalf and that I just needed to sign an affidavit confirming I voted yes,” Kibet told the Senate. He emphasized that he never authorized anyone to vote for him.
Kigen pressed further, asking whether Kibet considered the listing of his name among “Yes” voters to be fraudulent. The MCA responded: “That’s a fraud.” He also reiterated that the county assembly had no policies, guidelines, or manuals on electronic voting at the time, leaving the process open to manipulation.
The Senate is expected to decide today on Governor Mutai’s impeachment after two days of thorough sessions where the governor defended himself.