Fresh from the recently concluded by-elections—where broad-based politicians emerged victorious—the Senate trial, starting Wednesday, offers another arena to flex political muscle.
The strong showing by the United Opposition, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has emboldened the outfit.
The surprise rise of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as a political force in the Gusii region and beyond has further strengthened the opposition. Several MPs elected on ODM tickets have reportedly aligned with Dr Matiang’i.
Governor Nyaribo is the party leader of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which had long been associated with Dr Matiang’i before he joined the Jubilee Party as deputy party leader.
The United Opposition is now expected to have stronger backing in the Senate, as ODM and President William Ruto’s UDA face internal divisions, with some members openly aligned with Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party.
With the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, ODM has lost a unifying voice, leaving the party divided on several issues. This has left the Senate finely poised, with impeachment proceedings often serving as a political battleground.
During the reading of the charges against Nyaribo last Thursday, Migori Senator Eddy Oketch signaled that politics had already taken center stage, even before the trial began.
“The Minority side feels that because Nyamira County has faced a lot of problems, I have instructions from them not to second this Motion,” said Mr Oketch, declining to support the motion to establish an 11-member special committee to investigate the county boss.
The stage is set for intense political maneuvering when the 47 elected senators—pending the swearing-in of newly elected Baringo Senator Vincent Chemitei—vote on Nyaribo’s fate.
In the 2022 elections, UDA had 22 senators, ODM 13, Jubilee Party four, Wiper three, United Democratic Movement two, and the Democratic Party, Ford-Kenya, and National Reconstruction Alliance one each. However, UDA has been weakened, with at least seven senators either siding with Gachagua or openly defiant, including Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale. ODM’s Richard Onyonka (Kisii) now associates with Matiang’i, while Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna is increasingly unpredictable.
The shifting alliances leave Senate numbers on a knife-edge, with lobbying expected to dominate proceedings. Governor Nyaribo faces the Senate plenary on Wednesday, December 3, and Thursday, December 4, 2025, following his impeachment by the County Assembly (CA) on Tuesday last week.
Nyaribo was impeached after 23 MCAs voted “yes”, with none opposing.
The motion, tabled by Bonyamatuta MCA Julius Matwere, accused the governor of engaging in a “relentless and calculated assault” on the Constitution.
Key accusations include undermining the principle of separation of powers by endorsing an illegal parallel assembly, the so-called “Bunge Mashinani,” contrary to court rulings, altering county fiscal priorities unilaterally without CA approval and appointing CEC members and municipal board members without vetting by the Assembly.
The governor is also accused of recruiting 358 staff without budgetary provision, adding Sh325 million annually to the wage bill, authorising irregular salary arrears of Sh5.6 million, double medical claims, and prior Sh13 million housing compensation.
The allegations extend to financial impropriety, abuse of office, and failure to comply with court orders, exposing the county to losses estimated in millions.
The upcoming trial is shaping up to be a politically charged showdown, with both sides seeking to consolidate influence ahead of the 2027 elections.
