Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, on Tuesday, survived an impeachment attempt after the Senate dismissed the motion passed by the County Assembly. In his appearance before the Senate, Governor Guyo questioned the legality of the County Assembly’s sittings held on June 18 and June 26, which debated and passed the impeachment motion. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, while delivering the ruling, cautioned Guyo against escalating the leadership wrangles in Isiolo and urged him to rebuild ties with dissenting Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

The County Assembly had accused the governor of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violations of the law and Constitution. Specific allegations included stalling development projects, failing to meet revenue targets, inflating the size of the executive, and appointing an excessive number of advisors, 36 in total, and 31 chief officers, despite Isiolo being the third-lowest county in terms of national revenue allocation. The Assembly also took issue with Guyo’s issuance of short-term, two-year contracts to chief officers, claiming it created an atmosphere of fear and job insecurity.

In a final vote, 31 Senators opposed the impeachment against 12 in support, allowing Governor Guyo to retain his position.

Governor Guyo is no stranger to controversy, especially in parliamentary circles. A former Majority Leader in the Nairobi County Assembly, he had previously been summoned more than five times by Senate committees, particularly the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), but failed to appear.

Before venturing into Isiolo politics, Guyo was the MCA for Matopeni/Spring Valley Ward and served as a councillor at just 21 years old. He was later elected governor on a Jubilee Party ticket, becoming the first former MCA to rise to the gubernatorial seat.