Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo appeared before the Senate on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, as his two-day impeachment trial officially commenced in Nairobi. The proceedings follow a June 26 vote by 16 out of 18 Isiolo MCAs to impeach him on charges of gross constitutional violations, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.
Governor Guyo, who is physically present at the trial, has denied all accusations and is being defended by a high-powered legal team led by constitutional lawyer Elisha Ongoya, former LSK president Eric Theuri, and advocate Elias Mutuma.
Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan pleads not guilty,” announced the Clerk of the Senate, as posted via @Senate_KE on X (formerly Twitter).
Full Senate Trial Underway
Unlike in previous impeachment hearings where a special committee was formed, the Senate opted for a full plenary session, allowing all 67 senators to participate in the proceedings.
However, as per constitutional requirements, only the 47 elected senators will cast a vote. A simple majority of 24 votes is required to uphold even one of the charges, which would result in the governor’s immediate removal from office.
Day One Schedule and Proceedings
According to the Senate Order Paper, the hearing began at 9:00 a.m. with a pre-hearing briefing, followed by a recital of senators’ duties and adoption of the hearing schedule at 10:00 a.m.. The parties were then introduced, and the Clerk formally read out the charges.
From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., time was allocated for preliminary objections—if any—before the House broke for lunch. Opening statements from the County Assembly’s lawyers and Governor Guyo’s defence team were scheduled for the early afternoon session, followed by the first round of witness testimony and cross-examination from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
If no successful objections are raised, the trial is expected to continue into Wednesday with further witness testimonies and final arguments before the vote is taken.
Governor Guyo’s Witnesses and Defence
Governor Guyo is relying on a strong bench of witnesses, including:
- MCAs Abdinoor Dima Jillo and Diba Abdirashid Ali
- Clerk of the County Assembly, Salad Boru Guracha
- Chief Finance Officer, Habiba Galgalo Jirma
- Administration Police Officer, Shaban Mzungu
These witnesses are expected to support the governor’s position and rebut claims presented by the Isiolo County Assembly.
Legal Hurdles and Initial Court Order
Prior to the Senate proceedings, Governor Guyo had secured a court order barring the Isiolo County Assembly from continuing with the impeachment process until a petition he filed was heard. However, the MCAs proceeded with the motion, which was later forwarded to the Senate for action.
This move could factor into the governor’s defence strategy as he argues that due process was violated at the county level.
Next Steps
Should the Senate find merit in even one of the charges, Governor Guyo will lose his position immediately. If none of the charges meet the required threshold, he will continue serving as Isiolo’s county chief.
This case marks one of the most politically charged impeachment proceedings in recent months, drawing national attention to Isiolo’s governance and the broader issue of accountability in devolved units.
