ISIOLO ELDERS ACCUSE POLITICIANS OF INCITING RESIDENTS TO VIOLENCE OVER THE ONGOING IMPEACHMENT PROCESS OF GOVERNOR GUYO
Elders in Isiolo have raised concerns that the ongoing impeachment process against Governor Abdi Guyo could trigger inter-communal conflict if the rising political tensions are not de-escalated.
The elders alleged that Governor Guyo hired youth to disrupt proceedings at the Isiolo County Assembly, leading to clashes between residents and police. They warned that such tactics threaten the county’s fragile peace.
Former Burat MCA Hassan Yarrow urged Governor Guyo and his supporters to respect the rule of law and allow the constitutional process to proceed without interference. He criticized attempts to derail the impeachment through intimidation and disruption.
Yarrow also clarified that the County Assembly grounds are a public space and not under the governor’s control, even though his office is temporarily housed in the same compound during ongoing construction.
Luke Mithika echoed these sentiments, stating that Isiolo residents are peaceful and blamed the police for allowing criminal elements to destabilize the town. He called on the governor to expedite the completion of his official office to reduce tensions.
Mithika further appealed to Chief Justice Martha Koome to safeguard the judiciary’s independence, claiming that courts are being manipulated to influence the impeachment process in Isiolo.
Joseph Kalapata, another elder, described how residents were confronted by unfamiliar individuals armed with crude weapons who vandalized the County Assembly and intimidated MCAs, preventing them from performing their constitutional duties. He said such scenes were unprecedented in Isiolo’s history.
Kalapata accused Governor Guyo of attempting to cling to power through coercion rather than accountability, urging him to defend his track record before oversight bodies like the Senate and the County Assembly.
Baraffu Dharimo added that the governor should take personal responsibility for the challenges facing him and cautioned against dragging the people of Isiolo into conflicts for the sake of protecting personal interests.
Ali Dima a former MCA Charri ward said that the Isiolo people should stand firm not to be divide along tribes by politicians adding that the impeachment of the governor was about leadership integrity and not a tribal issue.
