Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Roba Resigns Amid Governor Guyo Impeachment Feud » Capital News

NAIROBI, Kenya June 18 – Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba has resigned in a surprise move, stepping down at a time when the Assembly was embroiled in a heated political battle to impeach Governor Abdi Guyo.

In a letter dated June 18 addressed to the County Assembly Clerk, Roba cited “personal reasons” for his resignation, which took effect on June 17.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 11(d) of the County Government Act (Cap 265), Sections 21(5)(d) of the Elections Act (Cap. 7), and Standing Order No. 5 of the Isiolo County Assembly Standing Orders (2022 Edition), I hereby tender my resignation as the Speaker of Isiolo County Assembly effective from 17th June, 2025,” the letter read.

Roba expressed gratitude to the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) and the staff of the County Assembly Service Board for their support during his tenure.

His resignation comes amid political tensions within the county, following a bitter fallout with Governor Guyo — a former ally who reportedly played a key role in Roba’s appointment as Speaker.

Roba had been leading efforts to impeach Governor Guyo, alongside MCAs who had reportedly been camped in Machakos to plan the ouster. However, the process was halted by a court order.

On Tuesday, the County Assembly Clerk, Salad Boru Guracha, announced the cancellation of public participation forums on the planned impeachment, following a High Court directive.

“Notice is hereby issued that the County Assembly of Isiolo, in compliance with the court order, has cancelled the Public Participation exercise slated for 18th June, 2025 in various Wards within Isiolo County,” Guracha stated.

The High Court, through Justice Heston Nyaga, issued a conservatory order barring the Assembly from admitting, processing, or debating the impeachment motion, pending the determination of a case filed by Governor Guyo.

“The Petitioner/Applicant has made out a case that warrants the relief sought,” ruled Justice Nyaga, noting that the matter was urgent and required responses from the respondents by June 17.

Governor Guyo had sued the Speaker and the County Assembly. The court directed the Assembly to furnish him with all documents supporting the motion within 48 hours and allowed parties to file supplementary affidavits.

The impeachment motion, tabled by Sericho MCA Abubakar Godana, had received unanimous support from all 18 MCAs. The charges levelled against the governor include gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violation of the Constitution and key leadership statutes.

Godana accused Governor Guyo of flouting Chapter Six of the Constitution, the Leadership and Integrity Act, and the Public Officers Ethics Act.

“These laws demand adherence to the rule of law, good governance, transparency, and accountability. The governor has violated these principles,” Godana stated.

The governor is also accused of overseeing numerous stalled development projects and appointing 36 advisors and 31 chief officers—despite Isiolo County receiving the third-lowest revenue allocation nationally. MCAs say this amounts to mismanagement of public resources.

The impeachment process remains suspended pending the court’s ruling.