In a bold and unyielding defense amid swirling allegations of corruption and political intrigue, Isiolo County Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan, popularly known as Guyo, has categorically dismissed claims linking him to a massive bribery scheme aimed at derailing his impeachment.
Speaking at a high-profile function in Tana River County on August 24, 2025, Governor Guyo not only refuted the accusations but also turned the tables on his detractors, including Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo and former County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba Qoto (MRQ).
His fiery remarks, laced with calls for unity and accountability, have reignited debates on governance, ethnic divisions, and the integrity of Kenya’s Senate, drawing widespread attention across the northern counties.
The governor’s address comes against the backdrop of a tumultuous year marked by impeachment attempts, court battles, and explosive bribery allegations that have painted the Senate as a “free market” for influence-peddling.
With Isiolo County’s political landscape still reeling from these events, Governor Guyo’s speech serves as a rallying cry for his supporters while escalating tensions with key rivals.
In this in-depth analysis, we will delve into the saga, unpacking the claims, the governor’s rebuttals, and the broader implications for regional politics in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) regions.
The Impeachment Saga: From County Assembly Chaos to Senate Showdown
The controversy traces back to June 2025, when a section of Isiolo County Assembly Members (MCAs) initiated an impeachment motion against Governor Guyo, citing allegations of gross misconduct, corruption, and abuse of office.
Specific grievances included unlawful employment practices, where the governor was accused of hiring 36 advisors—the highest number in Kenya—prompting recommendations for investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). The motion also highlighted claims of gender-based abuse and financial improprieties, fueling public outrage and protests.
However, the process was marred by drama from the outset. On June 16, 2025, the High Court in Isiolo issued a conservatory order halting the impeachment proceedings, citing potential procedural irregularities.
Chaos ensued at the County Assembly, with reports of sponsored goons storming the premises, forcing MCAs to evacuate amid gunfire and violence. Police launched investigations into the shooting incidents, underscoring the high stakes involved.
By June 26, the County Assembly clerk, Salad Boru, publicly denied that any impeachment sitting had even occurred, dismissing media reports as unfounded. Despite this, the matter escalated to the Senate in July 2025, where Governor Guyo faced a plenary vote.
In a surprising turn, the Senate dismissed the impeachment on a technicality, with 31 senators voting in his favor and 12 against, citing procedural flaws in the assembly’s process.
Governor Guyo hailed the outcome as a “vindication” and a defense of justice, reaffirming his commitment to development in Isiolo.
Yet, the victory was short-lived in the court of public opinion. Senator Fatuma Dullo, a vocal critic, condemned the dismissal, warning that “Isiolo is bleeding” under Guyo’s leadership and accusing the Senate of failing to hold him accountable.
Dullo’s most damning allegation labeled the Senate a “Soko Huru” (free market), implying that governors, including Guyo, were bribing senators to quash impeachments.
These claims gained traction when President William Ruto echoed similar sentiments, referencing intelligence reports of Ksh 150 million in bribes allegedly disbursed by Guyo to influence the vote.
Public fury erupted, with Isiolo residents and MCAs protesting the Senate’s decision, accusing it of pocketing bribes and enabling impunity.
Additional financial scandals surfaced, including payments of Ksh 11 million to a private law firm for defending against a “fictitious” impeachment, and suspicious transfers totaling nearly Ksh 180 million to out-of-county firms during the impeachment period, raising questions of looting amid the chaos.
Governor Guyo’s Fiery Rebuttal: No Impeachment, No Bribes
Addressing the crowd in Tana River, Governor Guyo wasted no time in dismantling the narrative against him. He emphasized that no formal sitting of the Isiolo County Assembly ever took place to initiate his impeachment, rendering the entire process null from the start.
“There was no assembly sitting to impeach me. Referring to the so-called impeachment plan that failed, there is no way senators can force something that never happened from the onset. There was no reason for me to bribe senators,” he declared emphatically.
Guyo admitted to appearing before the Senate alongside other governors but insisted he never engaged any senator on the matter, let alone offered bribes. His remarks directly targeted Senator Dullo’s “Soko Huru” accusation, challenging her to substantiate her claims.
“If she has evidence of bribery, she should forward it for investigation by EACC instead of tarnishing names,” he urged, positioning himself as a victim of baseless smear campaigns rather than a perpetrator of corruption.
This denial aligns with Guyo’s earlier public statements, including a June Madaraka Day address where he accused Dullo of soliciting bribes herself—a claim that further inflamed their rivalry.
Analysts suggest these exchanges highlight deeper fissures in Isiolo’s politics, where ethnic and clan dynamics often intersect with governance issues.
Tackling Division and Defending Allies: Shots at Marsabit Leader and Former Speaker
Governor Guyo expanded his speech to address broader regional concerns, advocating for inclusivity in Tana River County while warning against external meddlers. “We want Tana County to be inclusive of all its people. But I know there is someone from Marsabit who came to divide you, and now he is just claiming that he has TIM counties’ votes in his pocket. I ask you — are your votes in the pocket of a leader from Marsabit, or with your own leaders?” he questioned, seemingly alluding to the Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali’s alleged role in bankrolling his impeachment through proxy influence.
The TIM acronym likely refers to Tana River, Isiolo, and Marsabit counties, a bloc often courted in national politics for its strategic importance.
For the first time publicly, Guyo also lashed out at former Isiolo County Speaker Mohamed Roba Qoto, accusing him of overstepping his role and engaging in partisan politics.
In a mix of English and Swahili, he stated: “Mimi sijaona Spika wenu wa Tana River akienda sokoni kuwaambia watu wasilipe ushuru — hiyo kweli ni kazi ya Spika? Hii inaonyesha Spika hajui wajibu wake. MCAs wakizungumza hivyo wako na haki, kwa sababu wao wamechaguliwa na wananchi. Lakini wewe ambaye hujachaguliwa na wananchi, unapaswa kuwa upande wa kati. Ukianza kupiga siasa, anaweza kuwa Spika wa nani? Haiwezekani. Spika halali wa Bunge la Kaunti ya Isiolo ni Abdullahi Banticha.”
Translated, Guyo criticized Roba for allegedly inciting residents against paying taxes in markets, arguing that a speaker must remain neutral and not dabble in politics like elected MCAs.
He reaffirmed his support for the current speaker, Abdullahi Banticha, as the legitimate authority, signaling a consolidation of power within his camp.
Broader Implications: Corruption, Unity, and the Road Ahead
Governor Guyo’s Tana River speech not only defends his tenure but also underscores the fragile ethnic alliances in northern Kenya.
By invoking inclusivity and questioning external influences, he positions himself as a unifier against divisive forces, potentially bolstering his support base ahead of future elections.
However, the persistent bribery allegations, amplified by President Ruto’s comments, could invite EACC probes and further scrutiny from anti-corruption watchdogs.
Critics, including opposition figures like Dr. Ekuru Aukot, have accused the national government of interfering to protect Guyo, citing cabinet-level involvement and derogatory remarks against his deputy.
Meanwhile, public sentiment in Isiolo remains divided, with some residents condemning the Senate’s “impunity” and demanding accountability for the alleged Ksh 150 million bribes.
As Isiolo grapples with these challenges, Governor Guyo’s call for evidence-based investigations could either clear his name or expose deeper systemic issues.
For now, his defiant stance keeps him at the center of Kenya’s political storm, with eyes on whether the EACC will act on the mounting calls for probes.
In a region where governance directly impacts livelihoods amid drought and resource scarcity, the outcome could reshape leadership dynamics across the TIM counties and beyond.
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