Isiolo, Kenya| On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, a motion to impeach Isiolo County Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo was tabled at the Isiolo County Assembly, intensifying scrutiny of his leadership.
In an unprecedented show of unity, 17 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), including Majority Leader and Garbatulla MCA Abdirashid Ali (Gira), endorsed the petition to oust the embattled governor.Only Kinna MCA, Major Jillo failed to endorse the impeachment petition.
The motion, slated for debate on June 17, 2025, has sparked unrest in Isiolo town, with rowdy youths disrupting the county assembly grounds in response to the escalating political crisis.
Grounds for Impeachment
Tabled by Sericho MCA Abubakar Godana and seconded by Chari MCA Meja Golicha, the impeachment motion accuses Governor Guyo of violating the Leadership and Integrity Act, abusing his office, and engaging in gross misconduct.
While specific details of the charges remain undisclosed, the allegations stem from persistent controversies since Guyo assumed office in 2022.
These include mismanagement of public resources, failure to deliver on development promises, and inflammatory public statements deemed unfit for a public official.
The motion follows widespread outrage over Guyo’s remarks against Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo during Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, 2025.
Condemned as “sexist” and “misogynistic” by the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and other women leaders, the comments prompted Senator Hezena Lemaletian to urge female MCAs to spearhead the impeachment effort. Senator Dullo called Guyo “unfit to lead,” accusing him of undermining Isiolo’s progress.
A Governor Under Siege
Governor Guyo’s tenure has been marred by controversies. In May 2025, the Senate County Public Accounts Committee flagged his administration for wasteful expenditure, citing the unauthorized hiring of 36 advisors and 31 chief officers, alongside employing two deputy county secretaries instead of the mandated one.
Guyo’s failure to account for his advisors during a Senate appearance amplified criticism of his financial oversight.
Further scrutiny surrounds a high-profile land fraud case, with a resident challenging the Director of Public Prosecutions’ decision to halt Guyo’s prosecution in Nairobi’s Milimani Court in May 2025.
Despite recommendations from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to prosecute, the case was dropped, raising questions about accountability.
Guyo’s repeated refusal to honor Senate summons—at least seven instances—led Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to order his arrest in October 2024.
Senators, including Kakamega’s Boni Khalwale and Mombasa’s Mohammed Faki, accused him of disrespecting the Senate’s oversight role, further straining his ties with legislative authorities.
Public Sentiment and Political Dynamics
Public opinion in Isiolo is sharply divided, though many residents support the impeachment motion, citing Guyo’s perceived absenteeism and prioritization of Nairobi-based interests over local needs.
Despite Isiolo County’s annual budget of nearly KSh 5 billion, tangible development remains scarce, with critics noting that many projects are NGO-funded rather than county-led.
The sentiment that “Isiolo’s affairs must return from Nairobi” reflects frustration with Guyo’s continued residence in the capital, where he previously served as Matopeni Ward MCA and Majority Leader of the Nairobi County Assembly before winning the Isiolo gubernatorial seat on a Jubilee Party ticket in 2022.
However, some, including a post on X, suggest the impeachment may be politically motivated and unlikely to succeed due to Guyo’s alliances, notably with County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba. Roba’s role in the proceedings remains uncertain, adding complexity to the process.
A Turbulent Political Journey
Guyo’s political career has been contentious. In June 2023, he defected from Jubilee to President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), alongside his deputy and the county assembly speaker, aligning with the ruling party after Ruto’s visit to Isiolo. This move weakened the opposition Azimio La Umoja coalition.
His administration has also faced criticism for its handling of crises, notably the 2025 floods that left residents stranded and homes destroyed. Real estate tycoon Mwenda Thuranira accused Guyo of incompetence for failing to promptly activate disaster relief funds.
Additionally, Guyo’s remarks during a confrontation over home demolitions in Checheles B, Wabera Ward, in April 2025, were seen by some as inciting violence against law enforcement, further tarnishing his reputation.
Despite these setbacks, Guyo has earned some praise. In January 2025, ICBNews named him Isiolo County’s Male Personality of the Year 2024 for improvements in water supply, electricity, infrastructure, and healthcare in marginalized areas.
His administration’s issuance of land allotment letters to Isiolo Central residents in April 2025 was also lauded. However, these achievements are overshadowed by persistent allegations of mismanagement.
What Lies Ahead
The impeachment debate on June 17, 2025, will be a defining moment for Isiolo’s political landscape.
The motion requires a two-thirds majority (12 of 18 MCAs) to advance to the Senate, where a trial would need 45 of 67 senators to remove Guyo. Given his political connections and polarized local sentiments, the process faces significant hurdles.
As tensions rise, with youths causing unrest at the county assembly, the coming days will test Isiolo’s governance structures.
Governor Guyo has yet to respond officially to the motion, leaving observers awaiting his next move in this unfolding political drama. Whether the impeachment restores accountability or deepens divisions in Isiolo remains uncertain.
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