In a heated session at the Kenyan Senate, a coalition of senators, including Fatuma Dullo, Ali Roba, Hezena Lemaletian, Aaron Cheruiyot, and Enock Wambua, issued a scathing rebuke of Isiolo County Governor Abdi Guyo for his alleged disparaging and sexist remarks directed at Senator Fatuma Dullo during Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, 2025.
The senators condemned the governor’s statements as an affront to women, pastoralist communities, and the dignity of the Senate, calling for immediate investigations by state agencies and even raising the prospect of impeachment.
The controversy has sparked a broader conversation about leadership, ethics, and gender-based discrimination in Kenyan politics.
Background of the Controversy
The dispute stems from remarks reportedly made by Governor Guyo during the Madaraka Day festivities in Isiolo County, which Senator Dullo and her colleagues described as sexist, inappropriate, and unbecoming of a leader.
While the exact content of the governor’s statements was not detailed in the Senate proceedings, they were severe enough to prompt a unified outcry from senators across party lines.
Senator Dullo, who represents Isiolo County, used her platform in the Senate to deliver a personal statement, defending her reputation and calling for swift action from law enforcement and investigative bodies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Senators’ Condemnation and Calls for Action
The Senate session saw impassioned speeches from multiple senators who not only criticized Governor Guyo’s conduct but also demanded accountability.
Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian, a vocal advocate for women’s rights, delivered a fiery speech, urging female Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) in Isiolo to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor.
“I want women from Isiolo to come out and write an impeachment against this governor,” she declared. “If you see your friend’s head being shaved, you are next. This is an attack on women in Kenya, an attack on pastoralist women, and an attack on this House.”
Mandera Senator and United Democratic Movement (UDM) Party leader Ali Roba echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Senator Dullo’s distinguished career and resilience in a male-dominated political landscape.
“Fatuma Dullo has earned her position in society, from becoming a provincial administration officer—a role typically reserved for men—and excelling in it, to becoming a lawyer and securing an elective position in a region where women rarely contest,” he said.
Roba described the governor’s remarks as “unAfrican and unIslamic,” arguing that they violated cultural and religious values of respect and dignity.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot expressed personal embarrassment over the incident, stating, “Any leader who watched the utterances of Governor Guyo would feel terribly embarrassed. I feel bad on behalf of Senator Dullo. Governor Guyo lacks leadership and integrity.”
Cheruiyot challenged Senator Dullo to file a formal complaint with the EACC, framing the governor’s conduct as an ethical breach warranting investigation.
Senator Enock Wambua referenced prior incidents allegedly involving Governor Guyo, including disruptions during a County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) visit led by Senator Moses Kajwang’ and a presidential visit to Isiolo.
“Certain things happened that were unbecoming of a leader of the stature of a governor,” Wambua stated, urging the Senate to take decisive action against Guyo.
Senator Dullo’s Response and Allegations
In her personal statement, Senator Dullo defended her character, emphasizing her adherence to Islamic values and decorum since the passing of her husband.
She refuted the governor’s allegations, though specifics of those claims were not disclosed in the Senate session.
In a bold counterattack, Dullo accused Governor Guyo of involvement in drug trafficking within Isiolo County, alleging that his actions were contributing to the destruction of the county’s youth.
“Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo is supplying drugs within Isiolo County. He is killing our youth,” she asserted, escalating the confrontation to a new level of gravity.
Dullo called for immediate investigations by the DCI, NCIC, and EACC, stressing the need for accountability and justice.
Her allegations of drug trafficking, if substantiated, could have far-reaching implications for Governor Guyo’s political career and the governance of Isiolo County.
Broader Implications
The controversy has ignited a broader debate about gender-based discrimination and the conduct expected of public officials in Kenya.
Governor Guyo’s remarks, perceived as sexist, have been framed as part of a larger pattern of disrespect toward women in leadership, particularly those from pastoralist communities.
Senator Lemaletian’s call to action resonated with many who see this incident as a critical moment to address systemic challenges faced by women in Kenyan politics.
The senators’ unified stance also underscores the Senate’s role as a defender of institutional integrity and public ethics.
By invoking agencies like the EACC and NCIC, the senators are signaling that such behavior will not be tolerated, regardless of the perpetrator’s position.
The mention of impeachment by Senator Lemaletian further highlights the severity of the accusations and the potential consequences for Governor Guyo.
Public and Political Reactions
As of the time of publishing this piece, public reactions to the controversy are still emerging.
Posts on X reflect a polarized sentiment, with some users condemning Governor Guyo’s alleged remarks and others questioning the senators’ motives or calling for more evidence before action is taken.
The lack of specific details about the governor’s statements has fueled speculation, with some netizens urging Senator Dullo to release a recording or transcript to substantiate her claims.
The call for investigations by the DCI, NCIC, and EACC places additional pressure on these agencies to act swiftly and transparently.
The EACC, in particular, is expected to examine whether Governor Guyo’s conduct violates the Leadership and Integrity Act, which sets ethical standards for public officials.
The NCIC may also investigate whether the remarks incited division or discrimination, given their reported targeting of Senator Dullo’s gender and pastoralist identity.
Next Steps and Potential Outcomes
The Senate’s response marks the beginning of what could be a protracted legal and political battle.
If Senator Dullo files a formal complaint with the EACC, as urged by Senator Cheruiyot, it could trigger an official probe into Governor Guyo’s conduct.
Similarly, investigations by the DCI or NCIC could lead to criminal or administrative sanctions, depending on the findings.
The prospect of impeachment, while raised by Senator Lemaletian, would require significant political mobilization at the county level.
Isiolo’s MCAs would need to rally sufficient support to initiate and sustain an impeachment motion, a process that could be complicated by local political dynamics and allegiances.
Governor Guyo has yet to issue a public response to the senators’ accusations or Senator Dullo’s allegations of drug trafficking.
His silence, as of now, has only amplified calls for accountability, with many awaiting his defense or an apology.
What’s Next?
The clash between Isiolo County Governor Abdi Guyo and Senator Fatuma Dullo has exposed deep-seated issues of gender, leadership, and ethics in Kenyan politics.
The Senate’s swift and forceful reaction, coupled with serious allegations of misconduct, underscores the urgency of addressing such behavior in public office.
As investigative agencies take up the matter and public discourse intensifies, the outcome of this controversy could set a precedent for how Kenya handles allegations of sexism and abuse of power.
For now, all eyes are on Isiolo County and the institutions tasked with upholding justice and integrity.
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