Why Ruto Dumped Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo: A Political Betrayal in the Making

The dramatic political downfall of Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo represents one of the most striking examples of how quickly political alliances can crumble in Kenya’s fluid political landscape. Once a trusted ally who secretly supported President William Ruto during the 2022 elections, Guyo now finds himself impeached and isolated, a victim of both his own political miscalculations and Ruto’s strategic abandonment.

The Rise and Fall of a Political Opportunist

Governor Guyo’s journey from Nairobi’s Matopeni Ward MCA to Isiolo Governor was remarkable by any standard. Elected in 2022 on a Jubilee Party ticket under the Azimio La Umoja coalition, Guyo made headlines in June 2023 when he revealed he had secretly supported Ruto during the elections, subsequently defecting to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

This political somersault should have been the first warning sign. A politician willing to betray his coalition partners so brazenly was unlikely to inspire long-term confidence, even from his new benefactor.

The February Heckling: The Beginning of the End

The turning point in Ruto-Guyo relations came during the President’s northern Kenya tour in February 2025. What was supposed to be a triumphant visit to launch the County Aggregation and Industrial Park project at Isiolo’s Prison Farm grounds turned into a political nightmare when angry youths disrupted Ruto’s speech with chants of “Ruto must go!”

The incident was deeply embarrassing for a president who prides himself on crowd control and political choreography. More damaging were the subsequent revelations that the heckling wasn’t spontaneous but orchestrated by local political players.

Senator Fatuma Dullo’s explosive testimony on the Senate floor pointed directly at Governor Guyo, claiming there was “documented evidence including a leaked video showing top county political leadership actively mobilising individuals to cause disruptions.” She alleged that Guyo had threatened to mobilise 5,000 people and promised “brimstone fire” against opposing leaders.

The Security Failure That Sealed Guyo’s Fate

Perhaps most damaging to Guyo was Dullo’s revelation that the governor had “micromanaged every aspect of the presidential schedule and programming,” deliberately keeping security agencies and other leaders in the dark. This suggested either gross incompetence or deliberate sabotage – neither of which would endear him to State House.

For a president who takes security matters seriously, having a governor who could facilitate such a public humiliation was unforgivable. The fact that over 40 youths were subsequently arrested while the alleged orchestrators remained free only added insult to injury.

A Pattern of Mismanagement and Controversy

The heckling incident merely highlighted deeper problems with Guyo’s leadership that had been festering for months:

Financial Mismanagement: Despite Isiolo receiving one of the lowest revenue allocations among counties, Guyo appointed 36 advisors and 31 chief officers, creating an unsustainable wage bill. His failure to meet county revenue targets while presiding over numerous stalled development projects painted a picture of administrative incompetence.

Ghost Workers Scandal: A leaked payroll in October 2024 revealed irregular recruitment practices that sparked public outrage, with 11 MCAs accusing the executive of systematic fraud.

Absentee Leadership: MCAs accused Guyo of frequently being absent from office and executing county functions from Nairobi, violating his constitutional duties.

Misogynistic Conduct: The National Gender and Equality Commission condemned Guyo’s “misogynistic remarks” against Senator Dullo, calling them gender-based violence and demanding accountability.

Ruto’s Silent Treatment: A Political Death Sentence

While Guyo desperately claimed to have spoken with Ruto twice in June, insisting the president had given no orders for his removal, the silence from State House was deafening. In Kenya’s political system, presidential silence is often more damaging than outright opposition.

When grassroots leaders pleaded with Ruto to intervene in the standoff between Guyo and the MCAs, the president remained conspicuously absent from the discourse. This calculated silence sent a clear message to both the MCAs and Guyo about where presidential sympathies lay.

The Impeachment: A Foregone Conclusion

By the time Sericho MCA Abubakar Godana tabled the impeachment motion on June 18, the outcome was predetermined. The fact that 16 out of 18 MCAs voted for Guyo’s removal despite his claims of external interference demonstrated the depth of local opposition to his leadership.

The charges were comprehensive: gross misconduct, violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, and failure to uphold leadership and integrity standards. These weren’t merely technical violations but fundamental breaches of public trust.

The Chaos That Followed: A County in Crisis

The aftermath of the impeachment motion revealed the extent of Guyo’s isolation. Violent protests at the County Assembly, with broken doors, vandalized equipment, and MCAs requiring police protection, showed a county in political chaos.

The emergence of two parallel power structures – with embattled Clerk Salad Boru gazetting an alternative Speaker while supporting only two MCAs – created a constitutional crisis reminiscent of similar standoffs in other counties.

Why Ruto Cut Guyo Loose

Several factors explain Ruto’s abandonment of his former ally:

Reputational Damage: The February heckling incident made Guyo a political liability. Keeping him would remind Kenyans of one of Ruto’s most embarrassing moments.

Poor Performance: Guyo’s track record of stalled projects, financial mismanagement, and administrative chaos made him indefensible.

Local Opposition: With 89% of MCAs supporting his removal, Guyo had lost all local legitimacy. Supporting him would have appeared dictatorial.

Strategic Calculation: Sacrificing Guyo allowed Ruto to appear respectful of democratic processes while distancing himself from a problematic ally.

The Broader Political Lesson

Guyo’s downfall illustrates the precarious nature of political relationships in Kenya’s transactional system. His initial betrayal of Azimio, while temporarily beneficial, established him as someone whose loyalty could be bought and sold.

More fundamentally, it demonstrates that even presidential allies must deliver results. Poor governance, financial mismanagement, and public embarrassments will eventually outweigh political connections.

Conclusion: A Political Orphan

As Governor Guyo faces Senate proceedings following his impeachment, he finds himself politically orphaned. His former Azimio allies have no reason to assist someone who betrayed them, while his UDA colleagues have clearly decided he’s more liability than asset.

The man who once boasted of secret presidential support now stands alone, a cautionary tale about the dangers of political opportunism and poor governance. His fall from grace serves as a reminder that in Kenya’s evolving political landscape, performance increasingly matters as much as connections.

For President Ruto, dumping Guyo was a cold but necessary political calculation. In the ruthless arithmetic of power, loyalty becomes worthless when it’s accompanied by incompetence and public embarrassment. Governor Guyo learned this lesson the hard way.

The author is a political analyst specializing in Kenyan county politics and governance issues.