Kericho Governor Mutai dumps DG Kirui, names preferred 2027 running mate

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai has publicly severed political ties with his deputy, Fred Kirui, accusing him of orchestrating the two previous attempts to impeach him.

Speaking in Chilchila Ward, Kipkelion West Constituency, Mutai told Kirui to seek another political partner ahead of the 2027 General Election, declaring that their political relationship had come to an end.

“I want to tell my Deputy Fred Kirui, in his presence here: since it is public knowledge that he was behind the two failed attempts to have me impeached, our political relationship has come to an end,” Mutai stated.

“You are free to look for others to work with in next year’s election. I will be seeking re-election with a new running mate.”

Mutai went on to name Jackson Rop, the current County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance and Economic Planning, as his preferred running mate for the 2027 election.

The Governor and his deputy were elected on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket in the 2022 General Election but have had a strained relationship over the running of the county government.

Their differences have included disagreements over the appointment of CECMs and other county officials, as well as the implementation of development projects.

The fallout was evident as early as June 2023, when Kirui called for mutual respect between the two offices during Madaraka Day celebrations.

“Hii ni serikali ambayo inaitwa coalition government na lazima kuwe na respect. I respect the Governor. Governor, please respect me na maneno mengi itaisha,” Kirui stated.

Mutai responded by insisting that the county government was bigger than either of them and that their political disagreements should not overshadow the interests of residents.

“The county government is bigger than me or the deputy governor. Any agreement done by a politician remains that. The biggest agreement is with the people. Sasa hii mambo, the whole world, discussing these things which won't help us or put food on the table,” Mutai stated at the time.

Mutai has survived two attempts to remove him from office, with the Senate rejecting the impeachment motions on both occasions.

In October 2024, the Senate voted to save Mutai, with 34 Senators voting against the motion and 10 supporting it.

The Governor had argued that the Kericho County Assembly had failed to meet the two-thirds threshold required to remove him from office.

In August 2025, Mutai faced a second impeachment after the County Assembly accused him of abuse of office, illegal and irregular appointments, and the dismissal of senior county officials.

The Senate, however, again voted in Mutai's favour, with 23 senators finding that the County Assembly had failed to meet the constitutional threshold, while 17 supported his removal.