Khalwale hails Senate over decision in Guyo’s impeachment case
By Ascah Mwango, July 9, 2025Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has praised the Senate for protecting the rule of law after it dismissed the impeachment case against Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, citing procedural flaws.
In a statement shared on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Khalwale said the Senate had acted correctly by stopping an improperly executed process.
Drawing parallels with the 2017 Supreme Court ruling that nullified the Presidential Election on procedural grounds, Khalwale emphasised that democratic institutions must operate within the confines of the law if they are to retain legitimacy.
“In 2017, the Supreme Court nullified the Presidential Election purely on account of procedure. Today, the Senate has dismissed the impeachment of the governor of Isiolo on account of the failure of the county of Isiolo to adhere to the procedure of removal of a governor by impeachment. The rule of law is primordial in stable democracies,” he stated.
Impeachment case
Governor Guyo had been facing an impeachment motion filed by the Isiolo County Assembly, but the Senate found that the process used was not in line with the law. The ruling followed a tense session in the Senate marked by legal arguments and political tension.
Guyo’s legal team raised several preliminary objections, arguing that the County Assembly had ignored a court order stopping the proceedings and that the motion itself had not followed the required legal steps. They questioned the legality of the Assembly’s sitting and whether the impeachment motion was properly debated and passed.
After a lengthy debate, 31 senators voted in favour of the objections, effectively stopping the impeachment trial. Only 12 senators voted to continue with the hearing.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who presented the motion, warned that counties must follow the law when handling such serious matters.
“This House must insist on procedural compliance if the integrity of devolution and the rule of law are to be upheld,” Cheruiyot said during the session.
Other senators also expressed concern that if counties are allowed to ignore the law when removing governors, it could create a dangerous precedent.
“Impeachment is a serious constitutional tool. It must be used responsibly and within the confines of the law,” said one senator.
Governor Guyo denied all accusations against him and claimed that the County Assembly was using the impeachment process for political reasons.