Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo before the Senate on December 3, 2025 during his impeachment hearing.
Nyamira County, whose governor Amos Nyaribo was saved from impeachment this week, is arguably in a constant state of political power struggles.
When the devolved unit is in the news, it's for not-so-pleasant reasons. Political turbulence and bickering dominate public discourse in the county, so much so that residents cannot recall when their leaders last held a joint meeting that added value to governance and development.
Some say the county’s biggest enemies have never come from outside. Rather, forces from within, specifically, leaders at war with each other, have played a big part in delaying political progress in Nyamira.
Speaking after the Senate’s verdict, Mr Nyaribo told his critics to stop “gossip” and focus on development — an unusually blunt rebuke from a man who usually avoids confrontation.
“I ask my fellow leaders to let us solve our issues back at home instead of bringing them here (the Senate).”
Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo before the Senate on December 3, 2025 during his impeachment hearing.
The Senate’s decision to throw out his ouster Motion marked the third time Mr Nyaribo's opponents have tried, and failed, to push him out of office.
Plot to replace him
Long before the matter reached Nairobi, whispers in Nyamira spoke of a well-oiled plan to replace him with his deputy, Dr James Gesami. Staff in county offices were said to be split down the middle, with some openly warming up to Dr Gesami, as if Mr Nyaribo’s job was beyond rescue.
Nyamira deputy governor Dr James Gesami.
The relationship between the governor and his deputy, a former MP for West Mugirango, has always been uneasy.
Cracks first emerged over executive appointments, with Dr Gesami claiming he was side-lined. In the 2022 elections, Mr Nyaribo had leaned heavily on Dr Gesami’s experience and popularity as a former MP.
However, once in power, the closeness between them faded and the familiar tug-of-war over roles returned, with Dr Gesami appearing unhappy to hold the short end of the governance stick.
“He (Nyaribo) unilaterally decided that the game we pursued together would be enjoyed solely by him, leaving me with no entitlement, not even the leftovers,” Dr Gesami lamented in December 2022.
Nyaribo versus MCAs
Away from the executive arm, the relationship between Mr Nyaribo and the County Assembly has been largely punctuated by hostility.
MCAs accuse him of treating the county like his private property and ignoring oversight, while he counters that they pursue personal interests while disguising it as accountability.
Perhaps it is for this reason that he has never appeared in the Assembly Chambers, a glaring sign of Nyamira’s fractured governance.
Due to these tussles, the Assembly itself is split in the middle - embroiled in political fights that have little to do with service delivery.
When former Speaker Enock Okero was accused of shielding the governor, some angry MCAs rebelled and held illegal sittings dubbed "Bunge Mashinani" at the ward level.
Ousted Nyamira County Assembly Speaker Enock Okero.
The spectacle was chaotic and embarrassing, and later nullified by the courts. Mr Okero eventually exited, and Thaddius Nyabaro, a former MCA for Ekerenyo Ward, took over.
A case remains active against Mr Okero-allied MCAs accused of skipping official sittings during the uprising, and critics insist the governor benefited from the chaos.
During the latest impeachment, some MCAs allied to Mr Nyaribo swore affidavits declaring their loyalty and avoided the session altogether. Opponents were furious, while supporters called it a tactical move.
After the Senate hearings, Mr Nyaribo adopted a conciliatory tone, asking leaders to choose dialogue and move past political wars so the county can focus on development — but this remains to be seen.
“I will continue championing Gusii unity,” said Mr Nyaribo.
Whether his latest appeal signals genuine reconciliation or is simply a retreat to fight another day remains to be seen.
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