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Amos Nyaribo
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From EACC to Ward reps: Tribulations of Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo

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Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo.

Photo credit: File | Nation

Beset with allegations of corruption by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and now facing potential impeachment, Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo walks a tightrope.

He faces the toughest test of his political leadership yet again after an elected Member of the Nyamira County Assembly revealed plans for his removal from office through a special Assembly sitting to be held this week.

This will be the third attempt to send him packing.

Through Bonyamatuta MCA, Mr Julius Kimwomi Matwere, the House Business Committee has ratified and scheduled the special sitting for Monday, November 17, 2025, at 10am to consider the motion.

“Notice of Motion for the removal of Amos Kimwomi Nyaribo, the Governor of Nyamira County, from office by way of impeachment on grounds of gross violation of the Constitution of Kenya and other laws, and abuse of office,” reads a notice paper by the County Assembly.

But Mr Nyaribo’s allies allege that the planned impeachment and the raid by the EACC are just a ploy to derail the governor's support for Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Dr Fred Matiang’i’s presidential bid.

Amos Nyaribo

Nyamira County Governor Amos Nyaribo.

Photo credit: File| Nation Media Group

Additionally, sources close to Mr Nyaribo claim that the motion could be part of a wider scheme to slow down Mr Nyaribo's participation in the ongoing campaigns for three wards in his county—Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, and Ekerenyo wards—just a week before the crucial polls that have turned into a hot political duel between President William Ruto and Jubilee Dr Fred Matiang’i.

These developments come just a few weeks after the EACC raided Mr Nyaribo’s homes in Nairobi and Nyamira over alleged corruption at the county.

The EACC said the raids were part of ongoing investigations into alleged irregular procurement and award of a Sh382 million contract for the construction of the Nyamira County Government offices.

In addition, the commission stated that it was investigating allegations that Governor Nyaribo irregularly authorised payments to himself totalling Sh18 million, comprising Sh5 million as ex-gratia payment and Sh13 million as house allowance reimbursement.

Mr Nyaribo has narrowly survived two impeachments, with the second having been conducted in September 2024.

This was the second time in less than a year, with both alleging violations of the law, misconduct, and abuse of office.

The second motion aborted after 22 MCAs backed the move, against a threshold of 23 votes.

The defeated motion had been moved by Wiper Party's nominated MCA Evans Matunda.

At the time, the governor’s advocate, Jacob Ngwele, expressed concerns over what he termed a rising number of impeachment motions that are not supported by evidence.

 Mr Nyaribo survived the first impeachment after 16 MCAs voted for it against 18 who opposed it.

Then, the mover of the motion, Esise Ward MCA Josiah Mang’era, unsuccessfully demonstrated to the majority of his colleagues that Mr. Nyaribo had violated the Constitution of Kenya, the County Governments Act, and the Standing Orders of the Nyamira County Assembly.

After the failed impeachment attempts, the Assembly continued with endless fights, leading to the MCAs holding parallel sittings in different locations.

The rifts and supremacy wars deepened, leading to the Assembly having two speakers and clerks.

Ousted Nyamira County Assembly Speaker Enock Okero.

Photo credit: File| Nation Media Group.

Ousted Speaker Enock Okero convened sittings at various wards, including Manga and Keroka, while the rest of the house conducted its business in the Assembly premises under the leadership of the then Deputy Speaker Thaddeus Nyabaro.

Mr Okero was impeached by MCAs for gross misconduct and sabotaging Assembly motions, among other charges, but moved to court to challenge his ouster.

His attempts to overturn his impeachment were thrown out by the courts.

Mr Nyabaro, the then Ekerenyo MCA, would later win a court case to become the current speaker.

A by-election is now being held in his Ekerenyo ward.

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