As the dust settles, Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo now faces a renewed challenge—not just to govern, but to heal a broken political system and restore faith in county leadership.

 This, even as details emerged of how Guyo and his allies engaged in intense political lobbying, reaching out to senators and framing the impeachment as a politically motivated ambush lacking legal merit.

 Besides assembling a formidable legal team led by former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Eric Theuri, Elisha Ongoya and Elias Mutuma, the Isiolo County Chief is said to have personally taken charge of the political fightback.

 During the impeachment trial at the preliminary stage, a confident Guyo was seen mingling with the Senators and having a chit-chat lobbying the Senators to throw out the impeachment petition.

 When the vote came, his strategy to reach out to as many Senators saved him as majority of the Senators sided with the preliminary objections advanced by his legal bench.

Exposed contradictions

 The lawyers highlighted inconsistencies in the Hansard and exposed contradictions in documents tabled by the assembly to argue that the process was invalid.

 “This is a phantom impeachment. It’s a major indication of manipulation. The documents presented by the assembly have been doctored, cooked, and generated outside the assembly,” Theuri told the Senate.

 A day after he survived an impeachment at the Senate, Guyo now charges that he is now turning his attention to unity and development. Although, his impeachment suffered at the hands of the Senators who upheld preliminary objections, the circumstances surrounding his impeachment laid bare deep-rooted dysfunction within the Isiolo County Assembly.  The Senate decision not only saved Guyo’s political career but also exposed severe institutional paralysis and internal strife within the assembly that has crippled governance in the county. 

 Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, in his communication after the vote, advised Governor Guyo to urgently mend ties with county leaders.   “As the top leader in Isiolo County, we expect that you will sit down with your Senator even if it will be through a third party and reconcile with the County Assembly.”

Power struggle

 The impeachment saga also unearthed a troubling power struggle within the county assembly, where it was revealed that two speakers and two clerks currently claim legitimacy—an extraordinary situation that shocked the Senate.

 “With this chapter behind us, we now refocus our energy on what truly matters: driving meaningful development, fostering unity, and fulfilling our shared vision of a thriving Isiolo,” said Guyo after the ruling.  “The journey ahead continues with greater resolve, renewed purpose, and an unshakable commitment to serve with integrity and dignity.” 

Despite the legal victory, the Senate’s deliberations revealed glaring cracks in Isiolo’s leadership. 

 At the Isiolo County Assembly 16 out of 18 Ward representatives voted in favour of removing the governor, a move that signals a strained relationship between the executive and the assembly.

 In a recent gazette notice, Salad Guracha, signing off as clerk, declared Abdullahi Jaldesa as the new Assembly Speaker, replacing Mohamed Koto—the same speaker who presided over the impeachment sitting. Yet, earlier, Koto had suspended Guracha from office and appointed a temporary replacement. 

Legitimacy crisis

 A court later reinstated Guracha, further fueling the legitimacy crisis.

 Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo revealed that Jaldesa was allegedly elected speaker by just two Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), yet the appointment was gazetted by the Government Printer.

 “The Government Printer, a very sensitive department in this country, gazetted a speaker elected by only two members of the Assembly. We have issues in Isiolo,” said Dullo.

 The unfolding confusion has drawn concern over the stability of county governance, with calls intensifying for institutional reform, reconciliation, and renewed focus on service delivery.

 “The Senate cannot participate in settling clannism, regional interests, or any form of politics. Our mandate is solely to uphold the rule of law, as guided by the Constitution,” said Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.

 “It would be the darkest day for any lawyer if court orders are disobeyed. “The question of whether a sitting took place has already been addressed. I am not convinced there was a proper sitting on June 26, 2025,” said Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi echoed the legal concerns, calling on Senators to uphold the rule of law and the Constitution. “You cannot allow people to sit in a bar, present a motion to us, and this House sends away a governor who was duly elected by the people. That would set a dangerous precedent.”

 “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit. It doesn’t matter what the governor of Isiolo has done—we are here to assess the process. Let the MCAs of Isiolo get it right. The Senate is watching,” summed up Kitui Senator Enock Wambua.