Court Dismisses Petition Seeking Removal of Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo can now breathe a sigh of relief after a three-judge bench dismissed a petition that sought to remove him from office over allegations of party hopping.
The petition, filed in June 2023, claimed that Governor Guyo had defected from the Jubilee Party to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which, if proven, would have led to his automatic loss of office under Kenyan law.
The court ruling, delivered on Friday, December 5, firmly rejected the petition, stating that although party hopping is illegal in Kenya, there was no evidence to show that Governor Guyo or his deputy, John Lowasa, had ever defected from their party.
This decision effectively clears both leaders of the accusations and allows them to continue serving without legal impediments.
The petitioners had argued that the alleged defection of Guyo and Lowasa meant that their positions as county leaders were automatically vacated.
They further contended that the resulting vacancies should be filled through by-elections. According to their submissions, the duo’s actions were seen as undermining the principles of multi-party democracy, particularly within Isiolo County.
Through their lawyer, the petitioners requested the court to issue a conservatory order preventing Governor Guyo and his deputy from continuing in office or participating in county governance until the legal matter was fully resolved.
They claimed that this step was necessary to uphold the law and protect democratic processes.
Following the ruling, Governor Guyo addressed the public, asserting that the allegations of defection were baseless, malicious, and politically motivated.
He emphasized that those who had been pushing the impeachment agenda were the same individuals behind the unfounded claims, which the court has now firmly rejected.
“Once again, those who attempted to mislead the public and undermine our leadership have been exposed and shamed by the truth,” Governor Guyo said.
He added, “The court thoroughly examined the matter and concluded that there was absolutely no evidence to show that either I or Deputy Governor Lowasa ever resigned from or defected from the Jubilee Party.”
The court’s decision not only protects the positions of Governor Guyo and his deputy but also reinforces the principle that accusations of party hopping must be supported by concrete evidence before they can lead to any legal or political consequences.
This ruling comes as a significant relief to the county leadership and supporters, allowing them to continue their work without disruption while sending a clear message about the importance of substantiated claims in Kenya’s political landscape.
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