President William Ruto’s Sunday directive to the Kericho County Assembly to end leadership disputes was ignored on Tuesday after MCAs voted to oust Deputy Speaker Erick Bett.
Even after Dr Ruto urged ward representatives to stop the planned impeachment, 27 of the 47 MCAs voted in favour of the motion, sparking a political storm in the county where Governor Erick Mutai survived an impeachment attempt in October after the Senate overturned it.
In the session, Ainamoi MCA Cheruiyot Bett was elected deputy speaker on defying orders issued by Justice Joseph Sergon of the Kericho High Court.
The court had barred Speaker Patrick Mutai and the Assembly from implementing impeachment resolutions passed on Monday.
The decision has raised questions about the Assembly’s defiance of both judicial and presidential authority.
The President had directed Speaker Mutai to pivot Monday's Special Sitting to address the excision of land in Chelimo for Kericho town’s expansion, an initiative intended to elevate the town to city status.
The wrangles in Kericho County mark the first instance of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders openly defying President Ruto on a matter he has publicly addressed.
Speaking at Kipsitet in Soin Sigowet Constituency during an interdenominational prayer meeting on Sunday, Dr Ruto expressed frustration over the ongoing wrangles.
“What are all the squabbles about? One minute, I hear the governor has been impeached; the next, you want to remove the deputy speaker. Don’t you have other things to do?” the President asked.
Dr Ruto emphasised the need for unity to facilitate development particularly the planned allocation of land in Chelimo to settle squatters and the expansion of Kericho town.
“Mr Speaker, I do not want to shame you in this church meeting. Please ensure that the request is dealt with as promised by the MCAs four months ago,” he said.
He gave the speaker and governor a two-week ultimatum to resolve the land issue and submit a report for action. “I hear MCAs have a special sitting tomorrow (Monday) to kick out the deputy speaker (laughs)…Please, please, turn the session to one to discuss the excision of the land for the expansion of Kericho town,” Dr Ruto said.
However, the Assembly proceeded with the impeachment vote and the subsequent election of a new deputy speaker, further deepening the rift.
Justice Sergon had issued orders preventing the Assembly from conducting the impeachment or swearing in a new deputy speaker until a December 5 hearing.
“Pending inter-party hearing of the motion, an order is issued against the speaker and County Assembly of Kericho from scheduling for the election of a new deputy speaker,” the ruling stated. Despite this, the Assembly proceeded, with Mr Bett arguing that his removal was illegal and unprocedural.
“The two-thirds threshold was not met. The threshold is 32 MCAs, but only 29 supported the motion,” Mr Bett said.
He criticised Speaker Mutai for failing to remain impartial, adding, “The Speaker is supposed to be a neutral arbiter but has openly taken sides.”
“The media and public were locked out of the gallery during the impeachment proceedings, and the session wasn’t live-streamed,” Mr Chirchir said.
Majority Leader Philip Rono (Kamasian MCA) defended the impeachment, citing “misuse of office and gross violation of standing orders.”
“We have done our job and replaced the deputy speaker. It is an open and shut matter,” Mr Rono said.
The latest county’s political development follows the replacement of Governor Mutai’s allies – Mr Chirchir and Chemosot MCA Anita Biegon – on the County Assembly Board. They were replaced by Kapsaos MCA Paul Bii and nominated MCA Jesca Chepngeno, who are perceived as allies of Speaker Mutai.
Governor Mutai, who survived an impeachment vote in October after the Senate overturned it, has called for unity.
“Let us unite as the executive and legislative arm of the county government and focus on development projects to benefit the people,” he said recently in Kedowa, Kipkelion East Constituency.
However, Sigowet MCA Kiprotich Rogony, who sponsored the previous impeachment motion, vowed to bring another one in three months.
“I can assure you that we are not done with the governor. We will meet him again to answer charges of financial impropriety and other violations,” Mr Rogony said.
