The fate of Isiolo County Governor, Abdi Ibrahim Hassan now lies in the hands of the full Senate after a proposed Motion to form a Special Committee to investigate his impeachment failed to secure the required support during a Special Sitting held on Monday.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi made the announcement following the collapse of the Motion that sought to establish an 11-member Special Committee to handle the matter. The Motion, which was moved by Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) did not proceed after Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi) declined to second it.

In accordance with the Senate’s Standing Orders, Speaker Kingi ruled that the Motion was effectively withdrawn.

“The Motion was not seconded and is therefore, pursuant to Standing Order 70 of the Senate Standing Orders, deemed to have been withdrawn,” stated Speaker Kingi during the proceedings.

He further directed that the impeachment process will now be handled by the Senate Plenary.

“This implies that the Senate will investigate the proposed removal from office, by way of impeachment, of Governor Abdi Hassan in plenary pursuant to Section 33(3)(a) of the County Governments Act and Standing Order 81(b)(2),” he said.

The Senate will now deliberate on the matter during plenary sittings scheduled for Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th July 2025.

Speaker Kingi directed the Office of the Clerk to issue formal invitations to the involved parties by Tuesday 1st July 2025. All parties are expected to file their written responses with the Clerk's office by Friday 4th July 2025.

In preparation for the plenary hearings, the Clerk was also instructed to circulate all received documentation including the hearing programme to Senators by 5pm on Monday, 7th July 2025.

Earlier during the Special Sitting, Speaker Kingi formally notified Senators of a communication he had received from the Speaker of the Isiolo County Assembly regarding the impeachment proceedings initiated against Governor Hassan.

“I have, pursuant to Standing Order 48(3), received a Message from the Speaker of the County Assembly of Isiolo regarding the passage by the County Assembly of a Motion for removal from office, by way of impeachment of Honourable Abdi Ibrahim Hassan, the Governor of Isiolo County,” said Kingi.

The communication cites Articles 181(1)(a), (b), and (c) of the Constitution, read together with Section 33 of the County Governments Act and Standing Order 74 of the Isiolo County Assembly.

The impeachment resolution was formally transmitted to the Senate via a letter dated Friday, 27th June 2025 and received on the same day. The Isiolo County Assembly accuses Governor Hassan of Gross Violation of the Constitution and other laws, Abuse of Office, and Gross Misconduct.

Under the charge of Gross Violation of the Constitution and other laws, the Governor is alleged to have failed to deliver the constitutionally mandated annual State of the County Address for three consecutive years, in violation of Section 30(2)(k) of the County Governments Act. He is further accused of violating Articles 201(d) and (e) of the Constitution by maintaining a bloated County workforce.

Allegedly, the Governor employed 36 advisors in his office and 31 Chief Officers, despite the county only having six departments. Additionally, the Governor appointed two Deputy County Secretaries, positions that do not exist in law. The appointments reportedly resulted in a wage bill that consumes 46% of the county’s annual revenue allocation, significantly breaching the 35% cap set under Section 25(1)(a) and (b) of the Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations, 2015.

In the Abuse of Office charge, the Governor is accused of disregarding the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Circular of 29th July 2013 and guidance from both the Transition Authority and the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee, which limit the number of advisors to three. His appointment of 31 Chief Officers also exceeds the 18 positions allowed under the County Executive Staff Establishment of July 2022.

Under the charge of Gross Misconduct, Governor Hassan is alleged to have made disparaging and sexist remarks targeting Senator Fatuma Adan Dullo, the elected Senator for Isiolo County. The comments are said to have violated constitutional principles of leadership and integrity, the right to dignity and were classified as gender based psychological violence. His conduct is viewed as undermining the respect and decorum expected of his office.

Further, the Governor is accused of making inflammatory and discriminatory remarks against certain clans residing in Isiolo County. The remarks, according to the County Assembly, have sown division among communities, eroded public trust and compromised the integrity of his office.

As the Senate prepares to deliberate the charges in full view of the nation, all eyes are now on the plenary proceedings, which will determine whether Governor Abdi Hassan will survive or be removed from office as proposed by the County Assembly of Isiolo.