Governor Mutai’s ouster case to be heard by plenary
By Aloys Michael, August 20, 2025The Senate has opted for a full plenary hearing to determine the fate of Kericho Governor Erick Mutai, shelving an earlier plan to form a special committee to probe his impeachment charges.
The decision was reached on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo declined to second a motion by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, which had sought to form an 11-member special committee to handle the matter.
“There is no process or route that is flawed. It is the members to determine the route they want,” Cheruiyot said as he moved the motion.
“Reading the mood of the House, I beg to move the Motion for the formation of a special committee.”
However, without a seconder, the motion could not proceed, prompting Speaker Amason Kingi to rule that the Senate will instead hear the impeachment case in a full plenary session scheduled for August 27, 28, and 29, 2025.
Kingi directed the Clerk of the Senate to issue formal invitations to the involved parties by August 21, require responses by August 25, and circulate all received documents to Senators by the close of business on August 26.
This marks the second time Governor Mutai has faced an impeachment trial before the Senate.
He survived an earlier attempt in October 2024 after the Kericho County Assembly failed to meet the constitutional two-thirds voting threshold.
The motion was initiated by Sigowet Ward MCA Kiprotich Rogony.
Mutai’s second ouster case
Kericho County Governor Eric Mutai was impeached following a decisive vote at the County Assembly on Friday afternoon.
Of the 47 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), 33 voted in favour of the motion to remove him from office, while 14 opposed, surpassing the required two-thirds majority.
The special sitting, convened at the Kericho County Assembly chambers, was marked by intense debate before the vote.
Governor Mutai is accused of gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office and mismanagement of county resources.
County Assembly Speaker, Patrick Mutai, formally announced the results to a packed gallery, indicating that the process will proceed to the Senate.
Earlier in the day, the governor’s attempt to have the voting conducted by roll call was rejected, leading the assembly to use electronic voting.
This is not the first impeachment attempt faced by the governor. During a previous attempt, 31 MCAs voted in favour of the motion, but he was saved from impeachment by the Senate.
The plenary hearing is expected to be a high-stakes political and legal showdown, with the governor’s political future hanging in the balance.