Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo has pleaded not guilty to all charges leveled against him as impeachment proceedings commenced before the Senate.
Guyo appeared before the Senate on Tuesday, July 8, accompanied by his legal team, including prominent constitutional lawyer Elisha Ongoya.
The session began with introductions and procedural acknowledgments, after which Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye was directed to read the formal charges.
The charges, brought by the County Assembly, accuse the governor of gross violations of the Constitution and various laws governing county administration.
The charges include claims that Guyo has failed to fulfill a key constitutional requirement by not delivering the annual State of the County address since assuming office.
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"The governor has grossly violated the County Government Act by failing to deliver an annual State of the County address for the three years he has been in office,” the Clerk read.
Another charge concerns the alleged overstaffing and unlawful appointments within the governor’s office.
"The governor has grossly violated Article 201(d) and (e) of the Constitution by employing a bloated workforce including 36 advisors in the Office of the Governor, 31 Chief Officers despite the county having only six departments, and two Deputy County Secretaries whose positions are not recognized by law,” the Clerk stated.
Guyo is also accused of bypassing the County Public Service Board in establishing key positions and ignoring directives on public debt management.
“The governor has grossly violated Article 10(2), Article 185, and Article 201 of the Constitution by refusing to implement the recommendations of the County Assembly requiring him to control and manage the county's public debt.
“He has also violated Article 232 and Sections 59(a), 60, and 62 of the County Governments Act by creating offices such as those of advisors and Deputy County Secretaries without involving the County Public Service Board," the Clerk read.
Following the reading of the charges, Guyo, who had already taken the stand, formally entered a plea of not guilty on all three grounds.
The impeachment hearing now moves into the evidentiary phase, where the County Assembly and Guyo's team are expected to face off.
