Jitters in Kericho as Governor Mutai's Senate date nears

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Anxiety has gripped Kericho county ahead of the impeachment hearing of embattled Governor Erick Mutai at the Senate.

Last Friday, a section of ward representatives who supported the impeachment motion at the assembly were heckled in Bureti constituency where they had attended a funeral service.

At least 16 MCAs were forced to cut short their addresses at the funeral of former councilor Jones Mutai in Chemosot ward.

The decision by 31 MCAs to impeach Dr Mutai last week, has sparked myriad of reactions from residents and local leaders.

Some have questioned the need for his ousting, while others have expressed support or shared entirely different views.

The Standard interviewed residents, and opinion leaders ahead of the planned trial scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Erick Kipsang, a boda boda rider in Kericho Town stated that the trial would not help the county overcome its current challenges.

He instead called on both the governor and the MCAs to engage in dialogue.

"Even if the Senate sent him home and his deputy replaced him, he might be even worse. But dialogue is very important, if the MCAs could have listened what the elders said on a truce, this thing could not even reach the Senate.” Kipsang said.

He added “They were supposed to sit down and talk, and let religious leaders, and elders mediate since, as it stands, you can’t be sure the process will be transparent. We’ll have to wait and see. "He said.

Anne Langat, a businesswoman in Sondu likened the impeachment plans to shaking the foundation of a house or when a father fails to lead his family effectively.

"Mutai should go, as he has lost the trust of Kericho residents by turning the county into a den of thieves. You know, when a father is strong, the family follows, but when the core is shaken, everyone suffers.” Ms Langat said.

Joseph Rotich, a trader, at Sosiot Town, Belgut Sub-county said that the governor should not be sent home.

"He is being persecuted for defending the Kipsigis community resources; these MCAs are corrupt. I see nothing wrong with him defending community resources, especially the multinational tea companies," he said, adding that the governor should be given a second chance," Rotich said.

Gladys Chebet, a KMTC graduate from Kipkelion West, wants the governor to go home.

"He should have left already. He doesn’t even need to go to court. It’s obvious, he messed up," Chebet said.

Francis Ngeno, a resident of Bureti said he is against the motion, terming it witchhunt.

Ngeno said the county has very important issues that need the attention of the governor for redress.

"The governor is being persecuted for nothing, even the mover of the motion Weldon Kiprotich Rogony, Sigowet Ward MCA, his people are suffering, roads are impassable,” He said.

Sylvia Chesang, a resident of Ainamoi, feels the corruption, which forms one of the grounds to send Mutai home is being practiced mostly by the leaders in the county.

“You can’t tell us that Mutai is corrupt, that is why he’s being impeached, the country is corrupt to the core," Chesang said.

She, however, called on Kericho residents to back the governor.

During the senate hearing, parties are expected to file their responses, by way of affidavits, witness statements, and any other supporting documents, by yesterday.

MCAs impeached Mutai on October 2, accusing him of gross violation of the constitution and other laws, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.