Embattled Governor Mutai Asks President Ruto to Dissolve Kericho County Government Amid Political Crisis
Kericho Governor Erick Mutai has officially appealed to President William Ruto to dissolve the entire Kericho County Government, citing deep-rooted leadership wrangles and internal sabotage as the main reasons behind his bold move.
Speaking during a press conference held on Wednesday at the county headquarters, the embattled governor made the announcement just hours after a second impeachment motion against him was submitted to the Kericho County Assembly. The move marks a dramatic turn in the ongoing political tension within the county.
Governor Mutai, who has been facing strong opposition from some local leaders, openly accused his political rivals of deliberately working against his leadership.
He claimed that the current leadership environment in Kericho has become toxic and unmanageable, and that the only way forward is to start afresh with a new mandate from the people.
“I am officially initiating a constitutional petition to dissolve the County Government of Kericho under Article 192 of the Constitution of Kenya,” Mutai stated, expressing frustration over what he described as relentless sabotage from within his own administration.
He added that the process to dissolve the county government will begin immediately with a mass signature collection drive.
“I call upon the residents of Kericho to support this petition and pass it so we can move forward. Tomorrow, we will launch the exercise to collect signatures across the county,” he declared, urging the public to take charge of the county’s future.
Mutai said he believes that calling for a fresh election is the only way to restore order and allow the people to determine who should lead them. He insisted that the current working environment is impossible, and that his leadership cannot function effectively under constant political interference and betrayal.
“This kind of administration cannot continue. We cannot be held hostage by political games. If we go back to the people and they choose new leaders, then so be it. We hope that when the President receives this petition, he will respect the will of the people of Kericho and allow us to seek a new mandate,” he said.
Since his election in 2022, Governor Mutai has had a rough relationship with the county assembly. He previously survived an impeachment attempt when 31 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) passed a motion to remove him, but he was later saved by the Senate after 34 Senators voted in his favor.
However, tensions flared again on August 6 when Sigowet Ward MCA Kiprotich Rogony filed a second impeachment motion against him.
Reports had earlier surfaced that Mutai had held a late-night meeting on Tuesday in an attempt to persuade his County Executives (CECs) and Chief Officers (COs) to stand by him — a plea that was reportedly rejected.
The move to seek dissolution of the county government falls under Article 192 of Kenya’s Constitution, which provides two main scenarios under which a county government can be suspended.
The President can suspend a county government in the event of an internal conflict or emergency, or in other exceptional circumstances defined by law, such as if the county is found to be dysfunctional or unable to operate effectively.
Governor Mutai’s call for dissolution is rare and significant, especially considering it comes from a sitting governor asking for his own government to be disbanded.
The next steps will depend on how residents of Kericho respond to the signature drive and whether President Ruto finds enough grounds to act on the petition.
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