Isiolo MCAs In Hiding After Impeachment Motion As Executive Found Abducted

ISIOLO COUNTY – A dangerous escalation in Isiolo County’s political crisis has forced 16 out of 18 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) into hiding after they tabled an impeachment motion against Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo, with claims of intimidation, abduction, and threats to their lives now overshadowing the constitutional process.

The political standoff took a sinister turn when a former county Chief Executive Committee member, Abdi Rahman, was allegedly abducted and found severely injured and abandoned in Ruiru, Nairobi County, sparking fears among the MCAs that their lives are in imminent danger.

Climate of Fear and Intimidation

The MCAs switched off their phones and retreated to an undisclosed location immediately after the impeachment motion was presented during a heavily guarded County Assembly session last Tuesday. Speaking to the media on Friday, the legislators painted a picture of a county gripped by political violence and intimidation.

“We were trailed by armed individuals at 3 am until we reached our destination. One of our supporters was abducted, beaten and dumped in the bush. We shall not be intimidated from fulfilling our constitutional duty,” recounted Burat MCA Nicholas Lorot, describing their harrowing journey from Nakuru to Machakos as they fled to safety.

Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba pointed fingers at top county officials, accusing them of orchestrating the threats and harassment campaign against the MCAs.

Abduction and Assault

Abdirahman Mohamed, the immediate Isiolo County Chief Officer for Health who was abducted, has been found badly injured and abandoned in Ruai, Kiambu.

The gravity of the situation became apparent when the MCAs visited the hospitalized former county executive at a Nairobi health facility. The official was found abandoned approximately 20 kilometers from Ruai with multiple fractures after what appears to have been a brutal assault.

“He was found some twenty kilometres away from Ruai. I think they threw him there thinking that he was dead. God is great; he is not dead. He had multiple fractures,” said one of the MCAs, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) Chairperson Rehema Jaldessa condemned the incident in the strongest terms, describing it as “heinous goonism, intimidation, and abduction.”

Serious Charges Against Governor

The impeachment motion, moved by Garbatulla MCA Abubakar Godana, is supported by 15 documents including reports from the Auditor-General, County Assembly records, Hansards, budgetary documents, and video footage of the governor’s public addresses.

Governor Guyo faces three main charges:

Abuse of Office: The governor is accused of appointing 36 advisors and 31 chief officers despite Isiolo County receiving the third-lowest budget allocation nationally. This contradicts the Salaries and Remuneration Commission circular limiting advisors to four individuals and violates principles of prudent resource management under the Public Finance Management Act.

Gross Misconduct: The motion cites the governor’s failure to implement County Assembly resolutions, resulting in ballooning county debt, an ineffective County Treasury, and massive loss of public funds. He is also accused of making “disrespectful, demeaning and sexist remarks” directed at Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo.

Gross Violation of the Constitution: The governor stands accused of using divisive language that threatens peaceful coexistence among communities, violating the National Cohesion and Integration Act, and being largely absent from office while allegedly running county affairs from Nairobi.

The impeachment motion comes amid an ongoing feud between Governor Guyo and Senator Fatuma Dullo, both elected on the Jubilee Party ticket in 2022. Senator Dullo recently alleged on the Senate floor that a meeting was held on October 30, 2024, where county government employees allegedly discussed plans for her assassination.

“This conversation allegedly included plans for my assassination, posing a very real and serious threat to my life,” Senator Dullo told the Senate, adding that she has reported the threats to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

Constitutional Process Under Threat

Despite the intimidation, the County Assembly has pressed ahead with the constitutional process. Public participation forums are scheduled for Wednesday across all 10 wards, with the impeachment debate set for Friday. However, the climate of fear has raised questions about whether democracy can function under such circumstances.

“This indicates the extent of criminality and poor leadership plaguing Isiolo. We condemn the rising political intolerance and call for sobriety among top leaders,” Speaker Roba said.

While all 18 MCAs initially backed the impeachment motion, two are reported to have switched allegiance to Governor Guyo’s side, possibly under pressure.

Local elders and a section of residents have appealed for mediation as an alternative to impeachment, blaming the escalating tensions on external forces. Samburu Council of Elders Chairperson Joyce Nairisiae and Secretary General of the Somali Council of Elders Idle Hassan have called for dialogue and a non-confrontational resolution.

However, the MCAs remain resolute despite the dangers they face. Ngaremara MCA Peter Losu stated they would be cautious when traveling back for Friday’s debate but affirmed their commitment to their constitutional duties.

“We have recorded statements with the police and hope action will be taken. Regardless, we will perform our duties as per the law without fear or intimidation,” he declared.

The Isiolo crisis represents more than a local political dispute—it’s a test of Kenya’s devolved governance system and the rule of law. If elected officials can be intimidated, abducted, and assaulted for exercising their constitutional oversight role, it undermines the very foundation of democratic accountability.

As the County Assembly prepares for public participation and the crucial Friday debate, all eyes will be on whether the constitutional process can proceed safely and fairly, or whether political violence will succeed in derailing democracy in Isiolo County.

The outcome of this impeachment motion will likely set a precedent for how Kenya handles similar crises in its devolved government system, making it a case of national significance beyond the borders of Isiolo County.