Kericho Governor Eric Mutai: Impeached twice and survived, will he weather latest scandal?

For Kericho Governor Erick Mutai, political storms are hardly new.

Twice, the Kericho County Assembly has voted to impeach him. Twice, the governor has remained in office after the Senate brought the proceedings to an end over questions surrounding the required threshold.

Now, another controversy has emerged.

Mutai is facing a child-support lawsuit filed by a university student, adding to a string of developments that have kept the governor in the public spotlight.

And as the 2027 General Election draws closer, attention is once again turning to how Mutai will navigate the latest challenge.

A political survivor

Mutai’s journey to the governor’s office was itself something of a political upset.

Born on December 28, 1983, in Rungut village, Bureti, Mutai studied education at Maseno University before earning a master’s degree from the University of Kabianga and a doctorate from Laikipia University.

He later worked as a lecturer at the University of Embu before making the jump into politics.

In 2022, he defeated established names, including former Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter, in the UDA nominations before going on to win the Kericho governorship with Fred Kirui as his running mate.

But his time in office has been far from quiet.

Two impeachment battles

The first major test came in October 2024, when the County Assembly voted to impeach Mutai.

Thirty-one MCAs supported the motion, which accused him of gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office and gross misconduct.

The matter went to the Senate but was eventually brought to an end after senators raised questions about whether the Assembly had achieved the required two-thirds threshold.

Mutai faced another impeachment attempt in August 2025.

This time, 33 MCAs voted in favour of his removal, with the motion containing several allegations concerning the management of county affairs.

Once again, the matter reached the Senate, and once again Mutai survived after senators questioned whether the required threshold had been properly established.

Rift with deputy

Away from the impeachment battles, Mutai has also had a very public fallout with his deputy, Fred Kirui.

Their differences became visible in 2023, when Kirui accused the governor of sidelining him and raised concerns over their working relationship.

The political partnership has since deteriorated.

In August 2026, Mutai publicly declared that their partnership was over, telling Kirui to find another political partner ahead of the 2027 election.

He also said he would seek re-election with a new running mate and named Finance CECM Jackson Rop as his preferred choice.

The governor has previously accused Kirui of playing a role in the impeachment attempts, further deepening their political differences.

Another test

The latest child-support lawsuit now adds another layer to Mutai’s increasingly eventful political journey.

Unlike the impeachment battles and his fallout with Kirui, the case is personal, but it has nonetheless placed the governor back in the spotlight.

For a governor who has already survived two impeachment attempts and a very public political split with his deputy, the latest controversy comes at a significant time.

With 2027 approaching, Mutai will have to navigate the legal challenge alongside the political battles that have become a familiar part of his first term.

For now, he remains in office.

The question is whether he can keep navigating the storms that have followed his administration as the race towards 2027 gathers pace.

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