Kericho governor calls for reconciliation after failed impeachment

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai (centre) during Senate impeachment trial. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai has called for reconciliation with Members of the County Assembly after the Senate saved him from impeachment.

Speaking in Kedowa, Kipkelion East constituency during Mashujaa Day celebrations Sunday, Governor Mutai emphasized the need for unity between the executive and county assembly, warning that service delivery to residents could come to a standstill without harmony.

"The two arms of government are intertwined like Siamese twins. We must therefore learn to live together or perish together as fools," he said.

Dr Mutai revealed that, in collaboration with other county leaders, the clergy, and key stakeholders, a reconciliation meeting would soon be convened to resolve differences between the executive and the assembly.

Despite the challenges, he reaffirmed his commitment to service delivery, noting that the impeachment attempt  had not deterred his resolve to serve the people of Kericho.

"I am ready to work with renewed energy and zeal. I pray that the era of impeachment attempts will come to an end because Kericho has a history of impeaching governors during their first term. It happened to my predecessor, Paul Chepkwony, and recently, I also became a target," he said.

During the event, Deputy Governor Fred Kirui addressed rumors suggesting he had sided with the 31 MCAs who voted for Governor Mutai’s impeachment.

Kirui dismissed these claims but admitted that there were differences between the county’s leaders.

"The governor is doing his work in isolation, so is the deputy governor, the speaker, and the senator," he said.

Kipkelion East MP Joseph Cherorot expressed his willingness to mediate between the executive and the assembly to restore peace and unity within the county government.
"The executive and the assembly must come together and work in harmony for the benefit of the people," he said.

County Assembly Speaker Patrick Mutai echoed the call for unity, stressing that resolving the issues that led to the governor's impeachment was crucial for the county’s progress.
"It’s important that we address these matters so that Kericho can move forward," he said.

The County Assembly Speaker added that cooperation between Governor Mutai and his deputy Fred Kirui was essential to ensure seamless service delivery.