Charges facing Kericho Governor Mutai at Senate impeachment trial » Capital News

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 20 — Senators will hear the impeachment motion against Kericho Governor Erick Mutai in plenary after a proposal to form a special committee collapsed in the House.

Here is a summary of the charges he faces:

  1. Misappropriation of County Finances
    • Authorised fictitious payments and inflated supplies worth over Sh85.7 million.
    • Questionable items included sodas at Sh500 per bottle, tissue paper at Sh2,750 per bale, and hand towels at Sh3,600 each.
    • Double payments to contractors and irregular procurements flagged.
    • Pending bills ballooned to Sh1.1 billion amid forged signatures and fraudulent paperwork.
  2. Diversion of National Programme Funds
    • Sh351 million under the NAVCDP project allegedly diverted; many wards received substandard farm inputs and furniture.
    • His home ward, Chemosot, allegedly favoured under the FLOCCA Fund, receiving Sh21.7 million while other wards got nothing.
  3. Irregular Initiatives and Procurement
    • Launched Equalizer Kazi Mtaani Initiative without legislation or budget approval, spending Sh39 million irregularly.
    • Paid Sh8.5 million for upgrading a dispensary where no work was done.
  4. Mishandling of Public Donations
    • Accused of misusing over Sh9 million raised for victims of the Londiani junction accident, through flawed tenders and poor accountability.
  5. Abuse of Office & Nepotism
    • Hired his brother as a revenue clerk and confirmed his aide’s wife as a nurse.
    • Appointed a County Attorney unlawfully, leading to a personal Sh2 million court fine.
    • Arbitrary dismissal of 10 CECs and six chief officers; irregular staff deployments.
  6. Undermining Oversight
    • Accused of attempting to dictate how the County Assembly should handle summons to county officers.
  7. Gross Misconduct
    • Led an illegal land invasion in Kericho town, demolishing private property despite a court order.
    • Allegedly fostered a toxic work environment, intimidating and coercing staff.
    • Persistently used divisive and abusive language, bringing the office into disrepute.