Governor Eric Mutai denies all charges against him amid impeachment threat: ‘Not guilty’

• Kericho Governor Eric Mutahi was impeached by the 31st MCA on charges of violation of the Constitution, abuse of office and gross misconduct
• The originator of the motion was Sigowet MCA Kiprotich Rogony, who claimed that the governor’s actions had caused ridicule of the district
• However, a motion was submitted to discontinue the ongoing impeachment proceedings in the Senate, claiming that the motion had the support of 2/3 of the MCA

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has over three years of experience covering politics, news and features across digital and print media in Kenya.

Kericho Governor Eric Mutai was recalled after 31 of 47 MCAs voted in favor of a motion sponsored by Sigowet Ward MCA Kiprotich Rogony.

Why were the accusations leveled against Governor Mutai?

Rogony accused Governor Mutai of three crimes, including gross misconduct, violation of the Constitution and abuse of office. He claimed that the voivode’s actions brought ridicule and shame to the district.

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Additionally, the MCA said the governor’s actions showed disregard for the law as he incited the mob to illegally occupy land belonging to a private individual and designated it as a garbage dump without obtaining NEMA’s approval.

Rogony also alleged that several women had filed complaints against the governor for forcing them to engage in inappropriate sexual acts.

Governor Mutai pleads not guilty to all charges

However, during the Senate hearing that began on Monday, October 14, the governor did not plead guilty to all the charges against him.

“The above-mentioned Governor has collectively brought the office of Governor into disrepute by violating Section 6 of the Constitution and the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012. How do you substantiate the third charge whether he is guilty or not?” – asked the Senate official.

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“I plead not guilty,” the governor replied.

A petition was launched to stop the impeachment of Governor Mutai

Meanwhile, TUKO.co.ke witnessed a court document in which three people, including Ronald Kibet Too, George Muiruri Njau and Christopher Kimiti Njoroge, approached the court to stop the Senate’s consideration of the governor’s impeachment.

The petitioners argued that the proposal did not receive the support of two-thirds of all multilateral bodies and therefore the result was unconstitutional, irregular and non-procedural.

“The Senate does not have jurisdiction to consider and decide on an impeachment motion that does not meet the threshold specified in Art. 181 section 2 of the Constitution of Kenya and Art. 33 section 2 of the Act on County Authorities. If the Senate proceeds to consider and decide in its current form, the impeachment motion will create a bad precedent that will lower the constitutional threshold for adopting resolutions by legislative bodies,” we read in part of the petition.

They called for the matter to be declared urgent in order to prevent senators from conducting ongoing hearings.

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Governor Eric Mutai begs for forgiveness

Before his impeachment, the governor pleaded with the MCAs and the people of Kericho to spare him impeachment.

Mutai pleaded with the MCA to pardon him for allegedly being charged with gross constitutional violations and sexual crimes, considering he is a husband and father with young children.

In his apology, Governor Kericho asked the MCAs and residents to forgive him if he did anything wrong while discharging his duties.

Source: TUKO.co.ke