The Senate is set to hold a special sitting to deliberate on the impeachment of Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo, whose administration is under fire over alleged mismanagement, constitutional violations, and abuse of office.

The impeachment motion, filed by Sericho Ward MCA Abubakar Godana on June 10, accuses the governor of inflating the county's executive ranks by appointing 36 advisors and 31 chief officers this despite Isiolo being among the least funded counties in Kenya.

During a recent appearance before the Senate Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, Governor Guyo denied the allegations.

However, the Auditor General’s report for the 2023/24 financial year flagged the bloated appointments, intensifying pressure on his administration.

The county assembly, which overwhelmingly approved the motion, faults Guyo for presiding over stalled development projects, missing own-source revenue targets, and selectively renewing contracts of only five out of 20 chief officers without following due process.

Further criticism has been levelled at the governor for issuing short-term contracts that, according to MCAs, have bred anxiety and crippled service delivery within the county.

Godana, in his motion, accused the governor of breaching Chapter Six of the Constitution, the Leadership and Integrity Act, and the Public Officers Ethics Act all of which demand transparency, accountability, and fidelity to the law.

Despite a High Court order issued by Justice Heston Nyaga barring the assembly from debating or processing the motion, the Senate insists it is within its constitutional remit to proceed.

The Senate argues that courts should not pre-emptively halt parliamentary processes, stressing that judicial review should follow not interrupt legislative oversight.

Governor Guyo moved to court alleging procedural violations by the County Assembly and its Speaker Mohamed Roba.

He also demanded access to the motion documents, arguing he had been locked out of defending himself.

Notably, the county assembly controversially shifted its sittings from Isiolo to Nakuru and then Machakos, allegedly to escape political interference aimed at derailing the impeachment.

The turmoil has extended to the assembly itself, with Clerk Salad Boru Guracha suspended over claims he sabotaged a public participation forum linked to the motion. He has since been reinstated by the Employment and Labour Relations Court pending the outcome of his case.

A formal Gazette notice dated June 26 confirmed the assembly’s resolution to impeach Guyo. It was received by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on June 27, who promptly summoned senators to a special sitting.

The session, scheduled for 10:00 am in the Senate Chambers, will determine the fate of the Isiolo governor. The House will either form an 11-member special committee to probe the charges or opt for a plenary hearing.

Guyo, a first-term county chief, is the latest in a growing list of governors to face removal from office signaling increased scrutiny of devolved units and rising accountability demands from both the public and oversight institutions.