Senate Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi has officially gazetted special sittings of the Senate to investigate the impeachment of Kericho Governor Erick Mutai.
The gazettement follows a resolution by the Senators to handle the matter in plenary as compared to in being heard by a committee.
In a special notice issued on Thursday, August 21, Kingi announced that the Senate will hold three special sittings on August 27 (Wednesday), August 28 (Thursday) and August 29 (Friday).
The sittings will be starting from 9 am each day, at the Senate Chambers in Nairobi.
The sittings, convened under Section 33(3) of the County Governments Act and Senate Standing Orders 80 and 33, will focus solely on hearing the charges against the governor.
Mutai was impeached last Friday by the Kericho County Assembly after 33 MCAs out of 47 voted in favor of the motion tabled by Sigowet MCA Kiprotich Rogony.
Speaker Kingi confirmed during Wednesday’s session that he had received official communication from the county assembly, outlining the grounds for the proposed removal.
Initially, Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot had moved a motion seeking the formation of an 11-member special committee to handle the matter.
However, the Senate voted against the proposal, opting instead to consider the impeachment in full plenary.
Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo declined to second a motion by Cheruiyot, which had sought to form the committee.
According to the Speaker’s notice, no other business will be transacted during the special sittings, and the Senate will adjourn thereafter until Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
Governor Mutai now faces a full Senate trial, where Senators will deliberate on whether to uphold the charges and remove him from office, or dismiss the impeachment.
This marks the second time Mutai has faced an impeachment trial before the Senate.
He survived an earlier attempt in October 2024 after the Kericho County Assembly failed to meet the constitutional two-thirds voting threshold.
Documents tabled at the Senate outline multiple instances of financial impropriety, nepotism, and disregard for the law.
The charges detail a string of allegations ranging from the misappropriation of county funds to illegal appointments and blatant contempt of court orders.
Mutai faces three charges of gross violation of the constitution and misuse of county funds, abuse of office and gross misconduct.
Among the allegations he is facing are authorising fictitious payments worth Sh85.7 million for undelivered goods, inflated contracts, and incomplete works.
