The impeachment hearing of Kericho Governor Erick Mutai turned into a dramatic spectacle on Friday, as senators, lawyers and witnesses clashed in a tense session that at times veered into comical exchanges.
Governor Mutai, who faces charges of abuse of office, gross misconduct and violation of the Constitution, was impeached last week by the Kericho County Assembly. The Senate is now tasked with deciding whether to uphold the ouster.
Drama unfolded when the governor’s lawyer, Elisha Ongoya, lost patience with a witness he accused of being evasive. He told the House that the witness was “bordering on rudeness” and insisted that although he had remained polite to all witnesses as part of his professional duty, he deserved respect and would not tolerate hostility.
The tension heightened when MCA Hillary Kibet sensationally claimed that he had been bribed to support the impeachment. He alleged that the mover of the motion had offered him Kshs.200,000 and even a trip to Dubai in exchange for swearing an affidavit to confirm his vote. The statement caused an uproar in the chamber, drawing sharp reactions from senators.
At one point, Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale interjected angrily after another witness fumbled under questioning. “Have you come here to make fools of the senators?” he asked, further stoking the heated atmosphere.
The dramatic back-and-forth overshadowed the core allegations against Governor Mutai, which include irregular procurement, misuse of funds, and failure to uphold constitutional principles. Despite the comic relief from the heated exchanges, the governor’s fate now hangs in the balance as the Senate continues to hear evidence before delivering its verdict.
