Mutai impeachment: Ex-CEC sent millions to governor only to be sacked via social media

A former Kericho County Executive has testified that she sent about Sh 1.6 million from her personal funds to Governor Erick Mutai after repeated requests.

Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, August 27, Edna Tonui, a former County Executive Committee (CEC) member of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives in the County Government of Kericho, detailed the circumstances surrounding her dismissal and alleged misconduct by the governor.

Tonui said her employment followed a competitive process.

“Positions were advertised, we went through a panel, and after vetting by the County Government of Kericho, our names were forwarded to the governor for appointment. My employment was entirely on merit,” she noted.

Her dismissal on December 23, 2024, came as a shock.

 “I was sitting with my family ready for dinner when my son asked if I was aware I had been dismissed,” she said.

“It appeared on the governor’s Facebook page at 7 p.m. along with five other colleagues — Kipruto Malen, Rosemary Rop, Leonard Ngetich, Bernard Bii and Brian Langat — without any prior notification. We were going to enjoy Christmas with our children and instead faced sudden termination,” she told the Senate.

Tonui said she only received the official termination letter on December 27 after returning from holiday.

She disputed the reasons cited, which referenced executive orders from 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Tonui described her dismissal as retaliation for refusing to continue giving money to the governor for fundraisers.

 “The governor made repeated requests for contributions through his personal assistants. I complied initially, but eventually could not continue. That may have been one reason I was removed,” she said, listing dates and amounts she transferred from personal funds, including Sh 10,000, Sh 20,000, Sh 30,000 and Sh 100,000.

She also outlined her career background and independent sources of income.

“Before joining Kericho County, I worked in Uasin Gishu as a senior public health officer at the Ministry of Health. I took early retirement to serve here. I am also a businesswoman and farmer, so I have independent sources of income,” she noted.

The impeachment proceedings against Governor Erick Mutai began on Wednesday, with the Senate holding plenary sessions to hear charges and testimonies.

This is the second attempt to remove Mutai within a year after the October 2024 motion was dismissed on a technicality because the County Assembly failed to meet the two-thirds threshold for impeachment.

Mutai faces multiple charges, including abuse of office and mismanagement of public resources, including alleged fictitious payments of Sh 85 million to 46 companies for undelivered goods or work that was not done.

The motion also cites irregular procurement, illegal appointments, unlawful dismissals of senior officials, nepotism and violations of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), the Constitution of Kenya and the County Governments Act.

The impeachment motion was initiated by Sigowet Ward MCA Kiprotich Rogony and passed in the County Assembly on August 15, with 33 out of 47 MCAs voting in favour.

Governor Mutai has pleaded not guilty to all charges and claims the impeachment is a political conspiracy.

He has accused Kericho County Assembly Speaker Patrick Mutai of orchestrating the process to position himself for the governorship in 2027.

Mutai’s legal team also challenges the legality and credibility of the electronic voting system used in the assembly, arguing it was unverified, prone to manipulation and the required two-thirds threshold may not have been legitimately met.

The Senate opted for a full plenary trial after a motion to form a special committee failed.

Hearing will continue through Friday, August 29, with senators expected to vote on whether to uphold or overturn the impeachment.

The County Assembly is represented by a 12-member legal team led by Elisha Ongoya, while Governor Mutai’s defence is led by six lawyers under Katwa Kigen, including Peter Wanyama, Rose Thiong’o, Doris Ng’eno, Joash Mitei and Evanson Kirui.