Skip to main content

Isiolo Residents Decry "Weaponized State" in Governor Impeachment Crisis.

NAIROBI, KENYA, July 4, 2025.
Communities across Isiolo County have issued a forceful condemnation of what they describe as an escalating assault on democracy and the blatant abuse of power by high-ranking officials aimed at derailing the constitutional impeachment process against Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo. In a press statement released today, representatives declared the lawful process, initiated by Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) reflecting public will expressed in forums on June 24th, is being systematically undermined through intimidation, violence, and institutional manipulation.

The statement paints a harrowing picture of the past three weeks, alleging elected MCAs have been "forced into hiding, fearing for their safety" and are "being hunted down like fugitives by goons allegedly hired by the Governor" simply for performing their constitutional duty. "Democracy is not a crime. Impeachment is not treason. And elected MCAs carrying out their duties are not criminals," the declaration asserts, warning that Isiolo is witnessing a "grave and dangerous precedent" where the state is "weaponizing institutions and criminalizing legitimate democratic processes."

A detailed chronology of alleged lawlessness was provided:

June 10, 2025: Armed groups linked to the Governor reportedly stormed the County Assembly during the initial tabling of the impeachment motion, forcing MCAs to flee. Despite a formal complaint, police action is alleged to be absent.
June 12, 2025: Agents allegedly pursued MCAs across counties, culminating in the abduction and brutal assault of former Chief Officer Mr. Abdurahman Sheikh in Manzoni. His phone and firearm were reportedly confiscated, and he was left unconscious. No arrests have been made.
June 18, 2025: As a fresh impeachment notice was tabled, the Governor is accused of personally leading an invasion of the Assembly chambers. MCAs were allegedly assaulted, property vandalized, and lives endangered, forcing the Speaker to fire warning shots. Shockingly, police reportedly disarmed the Speaker and attempted to arrest him instead of protecting lawmakers or pursuing the attackers.
June 26, 2025: On the scheduled impeachment vote day, hired thugs allegedly blocked access, vandalized vehicles, smashed windows, and stole county property, all allegedly under the passive watch of law enforcement.

The statement accuses the police of abdicating their duty, choosing "to shield the Governor and suppress lawful governance." It further alleges interference by a senior Cabinet Secretary and a Court of Appeal Judge from the North Eastern region, claiming they have vested interests in Isiolo. The judge is accused of influencing courts to block impeachment, while the Cabinet Secretary allegedly facilitated a fraudulent Gazette Notice declaring CECM for Finance, Mr. Abdullah Banticha, as Speaker, using a forged resignation letter attributed to the suspended Clerk, Mr. Salad Boru Guracha. "This blatant illegality remains uncorrected and unpunished," the statement notes.

The People of Isiolo presented urgent demands to President William Ruto and state agencies:

Urge H.E. the President to "urgently intervene and rein in rogue state operatives undermining democracy."
Call on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate, arrest, and prosecute the abductors and torturers of Mr. Sheikh and recover his stolen items. Demand the arrest of the Governor and associates for orchestrating invasions, theft, and destruction of public property. Urge the Government Printer to revoke the fraudulent Gazette Notice and hold all involved accountable.
Request urgent security guarantees to enable MCAs to return home and resume duties without fear.

"The People of Isiolo are watching. So is the entire nation. We stand united in defending the Constitution, the rule of law, and the sovereignty of our county from tyranny and lawlessness." The escalating crisis in Isiolo presents a critical test for Kenya's democratic institutions and the rule of law at the county level.

Comments

Post a Comment

good

Popular posts from this blog

Records Digitization Failures Risk Digital Kenya; Urges ICT-Records Unity.

Ms. Mary Kerema, OGW, Secretary ICT e-government and Digital Economy. Nairobi, Kenya - July 16, 2025.   Ms. Mary Kerema, OGW, delivering remarks on behalf of Eng. John Tanui, MBS, the Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy , issued a blunt assessment today, government efforts to digitize critical records are failing, risking the paralysis of Kenya's broader digital transformation agenda. Speaking to ICT Directors and various stakeholders at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Kenya Association of Records Managers and Archivists (KARMA) at the Serena Hotel, Kerema conveyed the PS's deep concern over the " significantly low" progress made since the Ministry directed State Corporations to adopt paperless systems in March 2023. She emphasized that the core problem identified by the PS is not funding, but a critical deficit in expertise, infrastructure, and a widespread underestimation of the domain's complexity, a complexity interwoven with leg...
Post a Comment
Read more

Wisdom, Not War, WADR Chair Calls for National Shift in Conflict Resolution.

    Women in Alternative Dispute Resolution (WADR Kenya), led by Chairperson Eunice Lumallas(middle). NAIROBI, Kenya  July 16, 2025.  Amidst escalating tensions across Kenya's political, social, and economic sectors, Women in Alternative Dispute Resolution (WADR Kenya), led by its Chair Eunice Lumallas,  has issued a powerful call for nationwide adoption of peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms. Lumallas, emphasizing Kenya stands at a "critical juncture," warned that unchecked disputes threaten to erode hard-won gains in governance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the rule of law, jeopardizing national unity, business confidence, investment, and the hope of Kenyans. Representing diverse stakeholders, WADR Kenya passionately argued that choosing hostility leads to collective loss, while reasoned dialogue allows everyone to rise and gain. Chair Lumallas urged all Kenyans to prioritize empathy and actively embrace dialogue, mediation, conciliation,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kenyan Religious Leaders Issue Urgent Plea to "Stop Destroying Our Country" Amid Escalating Crisis.

    NAIROBI, Kenya, July 9, 2025.  In a powerful intervention, Kenya’s Inter-Religious Council (IRCK) has demanded an immediate end to state-sponsored violence and political exploitation tearing the nation apart. Following a three-day emergency retreat in Nairobi, Christian, Muslim, and Hindu leaders issued a stark warning that the country is in a "very sad and dangerous state," blaming dominant political elites for fueling unprecedented tensions through their fight to " acquire, protect and consolidate power."   The council condemned the government’s handling of protests against the 2024 Finance Bill, accusing the state of degenerating legitimate discontent into " murderous chaos" marked by extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, abductions, and destruction of public property. It called on President William Ruto’s administration to prosecute senior officials linked to violence and financial scandals, insisting this is essential to resto...
Post a Comment
Read more