Isiolo, Kenya| A chilling wave of uncertainty has engulfed Isiolo County, Northern Kenya, following the reported disappearance of 16 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) after a contentious closed-door session on the evening of Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
What began as a surprise motion to impeach Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo has spiraled into a political storm, raising grave concerns about the safety, freedom, and democratic rights of the county’s elected representatives.
Allegations of coercion, abductions, and a revenge-driven plot orchestrated by powerful political figures have thrust Isiolo into a crisis that threatens its fragile socio-political stability.
A Tense Session Turns Chaotic
At approximately 6:00 p.m. on June 10, 18 MCAs were summoned to the Isiolo County Assembly for an urgent, closed-door meeting.
The agenda, revealed only upon their arrival, was a notice of motion to impeach Governor Guyo, a move that caught many by surprise.
While impeachments are a constitutional mechanism for holding public officials accountable, sources familiar with the proceedings allege that the motion bore the hallmarks of a carefully orchestrated scheme, reportedly spearheaded by the Assembly Speaker and his close ally, Abdirahman Affey.
Affey is a former Chief Officer for Medical Services in Guyo’s administration and a one-time senior officer in the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Tensions escalated rapidly outside the Assembly chambers as supporters of Governor Guyo clashed with those aligned with the Speaker. Eyewitnesses report that the confrontations turned physical, creating an atmosphere of chaos and intimidation.
What followed has sent shockwaves through the county: 16 of the 18 MCAs who attended the session vanished from public view, their whereabouts unknown as of June 13, 2025.
Reports from family members and local sources claim the MCAs were stripped of their mobile phones, transported—along with the official Assembly Mace—by a group that allegedly included former DCI officers and armed guards, and taken to an undisclosed location.
These developments have fueled speculation that the MCAs are being held under duress, with their freedom and safety in jeopardy.
A Political Vendetta in the Making?
The unfolding events in Isiolo have raised suspicions of a politically motivated vendetta rather than a legitimate legislative process.
Sources close to the situation suggest that the impeachment motion may be less about governance and accountability and more about settling old scores.
The Assembly Speaker and Affey, both influential figures with deep ties to Kenya’s political and security apparatus, are reportedly at the forefront of this effort.
Affey’s past role in the DCI, coupled with the alleged involvement of former DCI operatives in the MCAs’ disappearance, has drawn parallels to controversial tactics associated with extra-judicial actions during the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, particularly under former DCI chief George Kinoti.
Adding to the complexity, the plot has reportedly garnered support from unlikely allies, including former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, Marsabit County Governor, Isiolo Senator, and the immediate former Women Representative for Isiolo Rehema Jaldesa.
These figures, some of whom have had public disputes with Governor Guyo, are said to be motivated by personal and political grievances.
For instance, Sonko’s involvement is allegedly tied to his own impeachment as Nairobi Governor in 2020, a process in which Guyo, then an MCA, played a role.
Similarly, the Marsabit Governor’s support is rumored to stem from a longstanding rivalry with Guyo over regional influence in Northern Kenya.
Public Outcry and Calls for Transparency
The disappearance of the 16 MCAs has sparked widespread outrage and fear among Isiolo residents, civil society organizations, and human rights advocates.
Families of the missing MCAs have publicly demanded answers, expressing anguish over the lack of communication and clarity regarding their loved ones’ whereabouts.
Civil society groups have condemned the incident as a potential violation of democratic principles, warning that the use of coercion and intimidation undermines the rule of law.
“Isiolo is on edge,” said Halima Abdi, a local activist and member of a women’s rights organization in Isiolo. “Our elected leaders are not pawns in a political game. Their safety and freedom are non-negotiable, and we demand immediate transparency from the authorities.”
The involvement of individuals with ties to past allegations of extra-judicial disappearances has heightened public anxiety.
Many fear that what began as a legislative maneuver has escalated into a dangerous precedent, potentially involving unlawful detention or worse.
The removal of the Assembly Mace—a symbol of legislative authority—further suggests that the process has been hijacked, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the impeachment effort.
A Fragile Region at Risk
Isiolo County, long known for its delicate balance of ethnic, political, and socio-economic dynamics, now stands on the brink of a full-blown crisis.
The county has historically grappled with inter-communal tensions and resource conflicts, making the current situation particularly volatile.
The disappearance of the MCAs threatens to erode public trust in democratic institutions, potentially destabilizing the region further.
Political analysts warn that the crisis could have far-reaching implications beyond Isiolo. “This is not just a local issue; it’s a test of Kenya’s democratic resilience,” said Dr. James Mwangi, a political scientist based in Nairobi.
“If elected officials can be silenced or abducted under the guise of political processes, it sets a dangerous precedent for the entire country.”
The Path Forward: Calls for Intervention
As the crisis unfolds, there is a growing chorus of demands for immediate action from national authorities, human rights organizations, and Kenya’s democratic institutions.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have been urged to investigate the alleged abductions and ensure the safety of the missing MCAs.
The national government, including the Ministry of Interior and the Inspector General of Police, faces mounting pressure to intervene and restore order.
The law is clear on the impeachment process: any motion against a sitting governor must follow constitutional guidelines, with transparency and public scrutiny at its core.
If there are credible allegations against Governor Guyo, they must be addressed through legal and open channels, not through clandestine maneuvers or coercive tactics.
The people of Isiolo have a right to a process that reflects their democratic will, free from fear and intimidation.
A County in Limbo
As of June 13, 2025, the whereabouts of the 16 MCAs remain unknown, and the Assembly Mace has not been recovered.
The silence from county and national authorities has only deepened public unease, with many residents taking to social media to voice their concerns using hashtags like #FreeIsioloMCAs and #JusticeForIsiolo.
The crisis has also drawn attention from national and international observers, who are closely monitoring the situation for signs of further escalation.
Isiolo’s citizens are united in their demand for answers: Where are their elected representatives? Who is behind their disappearance? And what does this mean for the future of democracy in the county?
As the clock ticks, the need for swift, transparent, and decisive action grows more urgent.
Without intervention, Isiolo risks descending into a deeper political and social quagmire, with consequences that could reverberate across Kenya’s democratic landscape.
For now, the people of Isiolo wait anxiously, hoping for the safe return of their leaders and the restoration of a democratic process that upholds justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
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