Kericho Governor Erick Mutai has announced the end of his political partnership with his deputy, Fred Kirui, accusing him of being behind two unsuccessful attempts to impeach him.
Mutai made the announcement on Tuesday, August 18, during a public gathering where Kirui was present, declaring that he would seek re-election in 2027 with a different running mate.
"I want to tell my Deputy Fred Kirui in his presence here: since it's public knowledge that he was behind the two failed attempts to have me impeached, our political relationship has come to an end," he said.
Mutai said Kirui was now free to pursue political partnerships with other individuals ahead of the 2027 General Election.
"You are free to look for others to work with in next year's election. l will be seeking re-election with a new running mate," he added.
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Mutai's first impeachment attempt came in October 2024, when the Kericho County Assembly voted to impeach him.
However, the Senate rejected the motion, allowing him to remain in office.
The second attempt came in August 2025; 33 of the 47 Kericho MCAs voted to impeach Mutai, surpassing the required two-thirds threshold at the county level.
The matter was then forwarded to the Senate where Mutai again survived after the House investigated the matter in plenary.
Senators raised concerns about the integrity and reliability of the electronic voting process used by the Kericho Assembly.
The Senate ultimately rejected the removal motion, allowing Mutai to remain governor.
Elsewhere, former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera has declared his intention to run for the Makadara Parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.
Nyakera officially announced his candidature for the Makadara Member of Parliament seat in a social media post on Tuesday.
The former PS noted that he would seek the seat on the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) ticket.
"Let's do it, my Makadara people! Redefining Makadara Constituency for a better and improved livelihood.
"I officially present my candidature for the 2027 MP contest for Makadara Constituency under the DCP ticket- so help me God. Boots on the ground and eyes on the prize," he wrote.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had revealed that he convinced Nyakera to shelve his 2027 Nairobi County gubernatorial bid.
Speaking while hosting a delegation from Makadara Constituency in Wamunyoro on Monday, August 17, Gachagua revealed that he and Nyakera agreed that he would run for the MP seat, explaining that he needed a brilliant mind such as Nyakera in the National Assembly.
"Irungu Nyakera wanted to run for Nairobi governor, but I sat him down and told him no. I explained to him that my biggest concern is Parliament because you know what happened when we formed government under somebody else's party," he stated.
He continued, "I came to understand how essential Parliament is to government. We need strong leaders who cannot be bought because the current ones sold us to Kasongo. I told Nyakera that since he has his own wealth, standing and integrity, I need him more in the National Assembly than the governor of Nairobi."
Further, Gachagua claimed that the incumbent Makadara MP George Aladwa was more focused on singing praises for President William Ruto, rather than serving and representing the people who elected him.
"That Aladwa man must go home. We must have a new MP in Makadara who will stand for the people. Thank you for bringing Nyakera, and we will hold further discussions off air so that we can agree on the way forward," he added.
