Motion Of Impeachment Filed Against Kericho Governor Erick Mutai Accused Of Abuse Of Office And ‘Unnatural Sexual Behavior’‬

A notice of motion seeking to impeach Kericho Governor Eric Mutai has formally been tabled at the county assembly.

The motion was tabled by Sigowet Ward MCA Kiprotich Rogony.

Rogony has cited four grounds, which are gross violation of the constitution and other laws, gross violation of various national and county laws, abuse of office, ‘unnatural sexual behavior’ and gross misconduct.

While moving the motion, Rogony said the acts and conduct of the governor had exposed the office of the governor, the assembly, and the people of Kericho to ridicule, embarrassment and disrepute.

He argued that his continued stay in office has and will continue to undermine the effective delivery of services to the detriment of the people of the county in whose trust he holds the office.

“The governor has variously committed constitutional wrongs that subvert the structure of government and undermine the integrity of the office and even the constitution itself,” he averred.

The particulars of the first charge include misappropriation, misallocation, and illegal drawing of county revenue and finances.

According to the MCA, the county boss has presided over a broken public finance system that has seen the County Treasury ineffective.

The governor, he claimed, has refused, failed, and neglected to automate the revenue collection system, thus opening up the county’s own sourced revenue to pilferage, misappropriation, and theft.

Abuse of office

On abuse of office, the governor has been accused of making illegal appointments, unlawful dismissals and transfers and usurpation of statutory functions of the public service board.

Mutai is also accused of launching a programme dubbed “Equaliser Kazi Mtaani Initiative” and drawing funds reportedly without proper legislation to anchor it, public participation, approval by the county assembly, and controller of the budget.

“The present and former chief executive committee members and chief officers have variously reported coercion by the Governor to make financial allocations for the Governor’s use from the funds allocated to their respective departments and which funds they were required to remit through the Governor’s personal assistants,” he said.

The Londiani junction road accident that claimed lives has also featured with the member claiming over Sh9 million in public funds were lost.

On abuse of office, he has alleged that the governor caused the advertisement of the positions of doctors, nurses, early childhood education (ECDE) teachers just to endear himself politically when he knew the county did not have the capacity to hire.

“The applicants were subsequently not shortlisted, nor were the alleged vacancies filled up,” he said.

Rogony further alleges that the governor illegally deployed health staff without any justification, authority, and involvement of the County Service Board, thus creating a crisis in the health sector.

‘Unnatural sexual behavior’

Rogony has also accused the governor in indulging in what he terms as ‘unnatural sexual behavior’ alleging that he has a victim of the heinous act who’s ready to testify against him.

“There are numerous complaints of Governor’s indecent and unnatural sexual behavior by female partners who accuse the Governor of, for instance, forcing them to unconsented anal sex, dangerous and unprotected sex, etc. The Victim of the abuse seeks anonymity at this stage and the Mover of the Motion shall, at the hearing of this Motion, seek to have the Victim heard in camera to protect her identity and dignity. Further, for th sake of concealing her identity, the Victim will be identified under a pseudo name.” The report reads in part.

On gross misconduct, the governor, the MCA alleges, has been operating with impunity.

“The Governor has persistently intimidated, molested, harassed county officers who do not sing to his tune leaving officers jittery and creating an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and despondency in the county and thus creating a toxic work environment. This violates the provisions of Sections 11 and 13 of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012.”

In his ruling, County Assembly Speaker Patrick Mutai set October 2 for the House to dispense the matter.

During this day, Mutai said, the governor will appear to defend himself from the accusations levelled against him.

Earlier on, police had a rough time containing a group of supporters who attempted to storm the assembly.