The political fight pitting Governor Abdi Guyo against the County Assembly have intensified after embattled Clerk, Salad Boru, gazetted another Speaker, creating two centres of power in the legislative house.
Clerk Boru was sent on compulsory leave by Speaker Mohamed Roba a week ago over several allegations but obtained court orders allowing him to remain in office.
However, the Assembly had already sworn in Mr Yussuf Hajj as the acting clerk. Mr Hajj facilitated the recent impeachment process of Governor Guyo.
The gazette notice published on June 27 and signed by Mr Boru reads: “Mr Abdulahi Jaldesa Banticha was declared as having been duly elected as the Speaker of the County Assembly and Chairman of the Isiolo County Assembly Service Board, on June 26.”
Isiolo County Assembly Clerk Salad Boru.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Since the impeachment of the Governor was backed by 16 out of 18 members, it follows that Speaker Jaldesa is backed by two MCAs.
The dual-assembly scenario is similar to that witnessed in Nyamira County, where a bitter political fallout led to the establishment of two county assemblies, both with a speaker and a mace—the symbol of authority.
But in the same gazette notice published on Friday, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi set a special sitting for Monday to hear the charges against Governor Guyo after receiving the resolution of the County Assembly from Speaker Roba.
Mr Roba took to his social media page to laugh off the alleged election of Mr Jaldesa as the County Assembly Speaker.
Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
In an attempt to stamp his authority, Clerk Boru has also written to the Government Check Unit seeking the repossession of two vehicles assigned to Speaker Roba.
Mr Boru also wants the Speaker to return electronic gadgets allocated to him by the County Assembly.
“Mr Roba is required to surrender all government assets and equipment that were assigned to him in the course of duty, in line with public service regulations and asset management protocols,” Mr Boru states.
The impeachment of the Isiolo Governor has not only been a legal and political battle, but also a physical brawl with a nasty aftermath.
The two weeks preceding the Thursday vote by 16 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), who resolved to impeach the Governor, have been dramatic and chaotic.
From legal tussles, violent demonstrations, vandalism, misinformation, political trickery, to intimidation, all tactics in the political rulebook have been deployed.
Consequently, the County Assembly of Isiolo building and offices tell a tale of the chaotic aftermath.
As you walk into the County Assembly premises, papers strewn all over the compound point to the chaos that followed the impeachment motion last week.
Inside are broken doors, cabinets, and windows, overturned furniture, and vandalised electronic gadgets.
MCAs evacuated from the Assembly
According to Speaker Roba, the damage and violent protests at the County Assembly were meant to intimidate the 16 MCAs and stop them from proceeding with the impeachment motion.
He said a week earlier, the Hansard system was vandalised, rendering the Assembly unable to use its debate recording equipment.
Last week, the MCAs were evacuated from the Assembly premises in a police armoured carrier as protesters were baying for their blood.
To stay safe and avoid division, the MCAs have been shuttling between the Assembly chamber and a secure location away from Isiolo.
On Friday, the Governor found reprieve after the High Court in Meru upheld an earlier conservatory order stopping the County Assembly or any other body from proceeding with his impeachment.
“The orders dated June 25, 2025, remain in force. Any act by the respondents or any other party in defiance of the court order is invalid. These orders shall remain active unless set aside by the court,” Justice Mbogo ruled.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo when he appeared before the Senate in Nairobi on November 14, 2024.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
The court proceedings stemmed from a petition filed by Mr Abdi Hassan, who obtained interim orders against the Isiolo County Assembly, the
Speaker, and the Clerk, challenging the impeachment motion dated June 18.
Justice Mbogo directed both the Speaker and the Clerk to appear in person in court on Monday to respond to the contempt allegations.
This came after their legal team, comprising Dr Ekuru Aukot, Mr Paul Wafula, Mr Alex Mbaya, and Mr Boniface Mwereru, failed to clarify whether the court’s order had been complied with.
