Impeached Kericho County Governor Erick Mutai was elected chairperson of the Education Committee of the Council of Governors on Monday, just days after the Members of the Kericho County Assembly (MCAs) voted to remove him from office.
Governor Mutai was impeached by 31 out of 47 MCAs last week, despite a court injunction stopping the process. The impeachment has been passed to the Senate, despite another High Court injunction against the move.
Justice Joseph Sergon of the Kericho High Court issued two orders, which Dr. Mutai’s lead legal counsels—Katwa Kigen and Manase Tunen—stated were breached by the assembly.
Sigowet Ward MCA Kiprotich Rogony, the mover of the motion, accused the governor of involvement in illegal appointments, unlawful dismissals, and staff transfers, adding that he was in gross violation of the Integrity and Leadership Act.
“The governor has been operating with impunity as though he is above the law. On the second day after being sworn into office, he led a mob to invade private land owned by Mr. Josiah Kiplangat Kogo within Kericho town and tore down the fence,” Mr Rogony said while presenting his motion before the Kericho County Speaker, Dr Patrick Mutai.
As Chairperson of the Education Committee, Dr Mutai will lead policy development, coordinate initiatives, and monitor project implementation in education.
During the elections, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi was elected Chairperson, while Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Nandi Governor Stephen Sang were elected Vice-Chairperson and Whip, respectively.
Mr Abdullahi, who has been the Vice-Chairperson of the council, was elected to replace Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru whose term has ended after serving two terms.
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Other governors who were elected Chairpersons of technical committees for the 2024/25 term include Fernandes Barasa (Finance, Planning and Economic Affairs), Muthomi Njuki (Health), Ken Lusaka (Agriculture and Livestock Development), Paul Otuoma (Blue Economy) and Nathif J. Adam (rid and Semi-Arid Lands and Disaster Risk Management).
“The Council of Governors wishes to extend heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected Executive and Committee Chairpersons following the successful election held on 7th October 2024,” the CoG said in a press release.
Others include Simon Kachapin (Gender, Youth, Sports, Culture, and Social Services), Ochilo Ayacko (Legal, Constitutional Affairs, and Intergovernmental Relations), Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o (Land, Housing, and Urban Development), Wisley Rotich (Information, Technology, Communication, and Knowledge Management), and Wilber Ottichilo (Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change).
Also joining the team are Wavinya Ndeti (Trade and Cooperatives), Benjamin Cheboi (Security and Foreign Affairs Committee), Patrick Ole Ntutu (Tourism and Wildlife), Mohamud Mohamed Ali (Transport, Infrastructure, and Energy), Joshua Irungu (Water and Natural Resource Management), Johnson Sakaja (Human Resources, Labour, and Social Welfare), and Simba Arati (Resource Mobilization and Partnerships).
Meanwhile, Women County Governors, who call themselves G7, were reportedly unhappy after failing to secure either the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson positions, with some storming out of the election room.
This tilted the scale in favour of their male counterparts, who secured 20 out of 21 seats, with only Ms Ndeti elected to chair the Trade and Cooperatives Committee of the council.
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