From hopes to hostility: The tumultuous tenure of Kericho Governor Eric Mutai

When Eric Mutai, christened Equaliser, took the oath of office as Kericho’s second governor in 2022, he promised efficiency, transparency, and a fresh start for the highland county known for its tea wealth.

Less than three years later, his term has been rocked by political strife, corruption allegations, legal battles, and finally impeachment by the County Assembly, a saga that has left Kericho deeply divided.

Mutai’s early months in office were marked by ambitious pledges to improve healthcare, open up rural roads, and expand youth empowerment programmes.

But with only two years in office, accusations began to pile up.

In October 2024, Sigowet Ward MCA Kiprotich Rogony tabled an impeachment motion.

MCAs alleged gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, and mismanagement of public resources.

The most damaging claims being alleged were irregular procurement deals, diversion of departmental funds, and the launch of the “Equaliser Kazi Mtaani” programme without budgetary approval or public participation.

Mutai’s government also faced criticism over the handling of emergency funds following the tragic Londiani truck crash in June 2023.

Allegations surfaced that Sh9 million meant for victims was unaccounted for.

Despite a court injunction barring the County Assembly from debating his removal until a petition was heard, MCAs pressed on.

On the floor of the assembly, tempers flared as members debated the charges before voting.

A total of 31 MCAs voted to remove him from office.

In the Senate, the impeachment trial was closely watched across the country.

For two days, senators heard arguments from both sides, MCAs outlining procurement irregularities and alleged misuse of funds, and Mutai’s legal team insisting the charges were unsubstantiated.

Mutai further alleged that the assembly did not meet the two-thirds threshold to impeach.

In the end, Mutai survived, as the Senate found the County Assembly had failed to meet the strict constitutional threshold for removal.

Some 34 senators voted to terminate the proceedings on procedural grounds.

But the tensions never eased; if anything, they intensified.

A week ago, a fresh motion was yet again tabled seeking to kick him out of office.

Rogony, who tabled the first motion, tabled it.

This time round, 33 MCAs voted in favour of the motion, comfortably above the two-thirds threshold, sending the matter to the Senate.

Among the allegations levelled against him are alleged payment of Sh85 million to 46 companies for work said not to have been done and services and goods not delivered.

Mutai, for his part, has dismissed the process as a witch-hunt driven by political rivals who he said are led by his deputy, Fred Kirui.

Kirui had written to EACC requesting investigations into the alleged payments.

Mutai has maintained that the impeachment was illegal, insisting it lacked procedural fairness and was fuelled by personal vendettas rather than genuine accountability concerns.

He had even vowed to mobilise signatures to have the county dissolved.