Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan. Photo Courtesy 
By Andrew Mbuva
Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan is staring at a possible ouster as the Senate prepares to hear his impeachment case in a full plenary session, following a litany of serious allegations leveled against him by the Isiolo County Assembly.
The Assembly accuses Governor Hassan of Gross Violation of the Constitution and other laws, Abuse of Office, and Gross Misconduct—charges they say have brought disrepute to the office of the county’s chief executive and compromised effective service delivery.
Among the accusations is the Governor’s alleged failure to deliver the annual State of the County Address for three consecutive years, contravening Section 30(2)(k) of the County Governments Act. This address is a constitutional requirement meant to keep the public and the Assembly informed about the state of governance and development in the county.
Governor Hassan is also accused of inflating the county's public service by irregularly hiring 36 advisors and 31 Chief Officers, despite Isiolo County having only six departments. The appointments, the Assembly claims, have pushed the county’s wage bill to a staggering 46% of its annual revenue—well beyond the 35% cap prescribed under the Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations, 2015.
Further, the Governor allegedly created two Deputy County Secretary positions, which are not recognized in law, and ignored established guidelines from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Transition Authority, and the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee—all of which cap the number of advisors at three.
In what the County Assembly categorizes as Gross Misconduct, Governor Hassan is also accused of making sexist and demeaning remarks directed at Isiolo Senator Fatuma Adan Dullo. These remarks have been labeled as gender-based psychological violence and a direct affront to constitutional values of dignity, respect, and leadership integrity.
The Governor is also on the spot for allegedly making inflammatory and discriminatory remarks targeting specific clans within Isiolo County. According to the Assembly, such comments have inflamed ethnic divisions, eroded public confidence, and violated the constitutional requirement for inclusivity and cohesion in leadership.
Despite the gravity of the charges, a proposal to form an 11-member Special Senate Committee to probe the allegations collapsed during a Special Sitting on Monday after it failed to garner the necessary backing. Moved by Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), the Motion flopped after Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi) declined to second it.
Senate Speaker Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi, EGH, announced that the Motion was effectively withdrawn in line with Standing Order 70, and that the impeachment case will now be handled by the full Senate in a plenary sitting.
“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 80(1)(b),” said Speaker Kingi.
The Senate will convene to deliberate the impeachment on Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th July 2025. The Office of the Clerk has been directed to issue formal invitations to the involved parties by Tuesday 1st July, with all written responses due by Friday 4th July. Senators will receive all relevant documents, including a detailed hearing schedule, by 5pm on Monday 7th July.
With the country now watching closely, the plenary hearings are expected to set the stage for a decisive moment in Isiolo’s political history—one that will determine whether Governor Abdi Hassan retains his seat or becomes the latest casualty of constitutional accountability.
