Isiolo tensions rise as leaders clash over failed impeachment

Isiolo Leaders led by Former Governor Godana Doyo, Women Representative Mumina Bonaya and Dr. Abduba Mollu Ido addressing the media in Nairobi on July 21, 2025 where they call on the government to investigate the people who want to cause conflict in their county after the Impeachment of Governor Guyo failed. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] Political tensions in Isiolo County have escalated, with some leaders accusing their counterparts from the United Democratic Movement (UDM) party of fueling unrest and interfering in county affairs. The fallout follows a failed attempt to impeach Governor Abdi Hassan. Isiolo Woman Rep Mumina Bonaya, joined by current and former leaders, has alleged that UDM politicians, some from neighbouring counties, are sponsoring chaos to destabilise the county ahead of the 2027 General Election. "We know the people who have vested interests in Isiolo and are involved in sponsoring chaos... We want to tell UDM leadership that they cannot impose themselves on our people and can't forcefully impeach the Governor for our refusal to join your party," said Bonaya during a press briefing. She was accompanied by former Governor Godana Doyo, former Isiolo South MP Abdi Koropu, County Assembly Speaker Abdullahi Banticha, Abdi Nyanure and other leaders. Bonaya insisted the county remains firmly under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) banner. "I know what his interest is in Isiolo. He is still involved today, sponsoring chaos in our county. He must come out and tell us what his intentions are," she added. Bonaya further claimed that UDM leaders financed the disappearance of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) ahead of the impeachment motion against Governor Hassan. "When the MCAs were in hiding, they (UDM) were taking care of their bills and upkeep. That is very shameful for a party that claims to have a national outlook and treasure national values," she stated. She also alleged that MCAs attempting to reconcile with the Governor were threatened with expulsion from UDM, accusing some leaders of engaging in partisan politics at the expense of their official duties. "Some of these people were appointed by the President, but unfortunately, they are not working. Instead, they are busy sponsoring political chaos and impeachment," Bonaya said. She urged President William Ruto to intervene and restore order, adding that the Governor has been trying to unite the county leadership despite political differences. "Isiolo is home to 42 tribes, and we should not fight because of a few people with political interests. Let us always follow the law," she urged. Speaker Banticha dismissed claims that the county was planning to abandon UDA, affirming continued support for President Ruto. The recent impeachment saga, which Governor Hassan survived, has deepened divisions in the county. The Senate dismissed the impeachment motion on technical grounds, citing procedural flaws by MCAs. Governor Hassan's legal team successfully argued that the impeachment never took place as claimed. They also cast doubt on the authenticity of the Hansard presented by the Assembly. The MCAs had accused the Governor of violating several constitutional articles and sections of the County Governments Act, including mismanaging public debt and ignoring Assembly resolutions. During Senate deliberations, it emerged that the county was operating with two rival speakers-Banticha and Mohamed Koto-further highlighting the extent of the political turmoil. [Josphat Thiongo] Political fissures within Isiolo County have intensified with some lawmakers from the county now accusing their counterparts from the United Democratic Movement (UDM) party of fanning political tensions in the devolved unit. In the latest twist to what has been a chaotic aftermath of a failed attempt to impeach Governor Abdi Hassan, current and former MPs led by Isiolo Woman representative Mumina Bonaya have accused leaders from the neighbouring counties of interfering with the running of the county affairs and being behind the ongoing unrest in the region. Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, Bonaya accused leaders from UDM of having covert interests in the governance of Isiolo ahead of the 2027 general elections, claiming there were individuals keen on ensuring political instability ahead of the polls. She was joined by former Governor Godana Doyo, former Isiolo South MP Abdi Koropu, county Assembly Speaker Abdullahi Banticha, Abdi Nyanure and others. "We know the people who have vested interests in Isiolo and are involved in the sponsoring of chaos... We want to tell UDM leadership that they cannot impose themselves on our people and can't forcefully impeach the Governor for our refusal to join your part.," "I know what his interest is in Isiolo. He is still involved today, sponsoring chaos in our county. He must come out and tell us what his intentions are," said Bonaya, further asserting that the county was firmly under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) political banner. The woman rep claimed that UDM's top brass was behind the recent attempt to oust Governor Hassan by allegedly financing the "disappearance" of members of the County Assembly from the county ahead of the unsuccessful impeachment motion. "When the MCAs were in hiding, they (UDM) were taking care of their bills and upkeep. That is very shameful for a party that claims to have a national outlook and treasure national values," stated Bonaya. She also highlighted that efforts by incumbent MCAs to reconcile with the Governor had been met with threats of expulsion from the UDM party- even as she accused leaders from both within and without Isiolo of engaging in partisan politics and abandoning their official duties. "Some of these people were appointed by the President, but unfortunately, they are not working. Instead, they are busy sponsoring political chaos and impeachment," added Bonaya. To address this, she called on President William Ruto to intervene and restore order even as the county chief was working to unite the leaders with a difference of political opinion. "Isiolo is home to 42 tribes, and we should not fight because of a few people with political interests. Let us always follow the law," she observed. Speaker Banticha dismissed claims that the region was planning to ditch UDA in the run-up to the 2027 polls, assuring that the community was behind President Ruto. The development comes amid intensified political infighting and a power struggle that has crippled operations within the County. This, after Governor Hassan last month survived ouster at the Senate on a technicality after the Senate voted to dismiss the impeachment motion against Isiolo Governor Hassan, citing procedural flaws by Members of the County Assembly. Guyo`s legal team successfully raised a preliminary objection stating the impeachment did not take place as it was alleged by Members of the County Assembly of Isiolo. It also questioned whether the Hansard presented by the County Assembly was genuine. The MCAs had accused the Governor of violating articles 10 (2), 73, 232 and 235 of the Constitution and sections 59, 59(A), 60, and 62 of the County Governments Act, 2012 by disregarding the criteria for the establishment of offices within the county public service. He was also accused of violating the Constitution by refusing to implement the recommendations and resolutions of the County Assembly requiring the Governor to control and manage the county's public debt. And during the Senate deliberations, it emerged that the county was operating with two speakers, namely Banticha and Mohamed Kot,o as a consequence of the continued infighti,ng which has left the assembly divided.

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