Kericho Governor Erick Mutai has been impeached after 33 out of 47 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted to remove him from office during a heated special sitting on Friday afternoon.

The impeachment motion, debated at the County Assembly chambers, accused the governor of gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, and mismanagement of county resources.

With 33 MCAs voting in favour and 14 opposing, the assembly comfortably surpassed the two-thirds majority required to oust the county chief. Voting was conducted electronically, despite Governor Mutai’s unsuccessful bid—through his lawyer Katwa Kigen—to have the process conducted by roll call.

This is not the first attempt to remove Mutai. In a previous impeachment bid, 31 MCAs voted in favour, but the Senate later saved him from removal.

Announcing Friday’s result to a packed gallery, the Speaker confirmed that the matter will now proceed to the Senate, where Governor Mutai will get an opportunity to defend himself.

If the Senate upholds the decision, he will be permanently removed from office.

Mutai, who attended the session alongside his legal team, maintained a calm demeanour as the outcome was read, setting the stage for yet another political showdown at the national level.