Court declares Abdi Guyo's Isiolo impeachment null and void

Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo. [File, Standard]

Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo has been reinstated after the High Court in Meru declared his impeachment null and void, faulting the County Assembly for ignoring a court order that had barred the motion.

Justice Heston Mbogo ruled on Friday, June 27, that orders issued on Wednesday, June 25, stopping the impeachment process were still in force and had not been set aside when the assembly voted to remove Guyo.

“The orders dated June 25 are still in force. Any acts by the respondents or any other party, in defiance of the court order, shall be null and void,” said Mbogo.

The County Assembly had moved ahead on Thursday, June 26, with 16 out of 18 members voting to impeach Guyo, citing gross misconduct, abuse of office and violation of constitutional provisions. Two members abstained from the vote.

The motion, introduced on June 10 by Sericho Ward Member of County Assembly Abubakar Godana, accused Guyo of appointing 36 advisors, far exceeding the four permitted by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), and issuing contracts to chief officers in a process the assembly termed as questionable.

Court documents showed that Guyo was also accused of failing to renew the contracts of 20 chief officers while selectively renewing five, creating what the assembly described as “an environment of fear and uncertainty.”

However, the court had issued a conservatory order on Wednesday, June 25, halting the impeachment pending a full hearing.

Despite this, the assembly communicated the impeachment resolution to the Senate, triggering legal action.

“The first respondent and the contemnor are hereby ordered to appear in person and be accompanied by counsel of your choice to respond to the alleged contempt,” noted Mbogo.