Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo is in hot water again. This time, it’s not just over corruption or illegal hiring. He has been accused of launching a personal and misogynistic attack on Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, sparking a fiery response from the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA).
In a scathing statement, KEWOPA called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to investigate and take immediate action.
The scandal now combines abuse of office, misuse of public funds, and gender-based political intimidation.
Abdi Guyo Accused of Intimidating Women Leaders and Undermining Oversight
Governor Abdi Guyo’s leadership is now under sharp scrutiny — not only for violating the Public Service Act but also for attacking the democratic role of oversight in devolved government. At a public event, Guyo made derogatory and personal remarks against Senator Fatuma Dullo, referencing her marital status and implying she was involved with a younger man.
The move was widely condemned by KEWOPA, who labeled the comments as defamatory, misogynistic, and a direct attempt to silence a woman doing her job. According to the association, Guyo’s remarks amount to character assassination and reflect the deep-rooted discrimination women leaders continue to face.
“This wasn’t the first time he’s attacked Senator Dullo,” KEWOPA said. “The governor appears unable to handle oversight, especially when it comes from a woman.”
The group accused the governor of launching these attacks to distract from serious questions raised by Senator Dullo about county finances and operations. Dullo has been vocal in holding Guyo accountable for mismanagement and unchecked spending — something the Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee has echoed.
“Attempts to discredit the Senate’s oversight mandate through gendered attacks are not just personal affronts. They violate constitutionalism and good governance,” KEWOPA added.
The association also called on the DCI and NCIC to step in, warning that if such behavior is allowed to stand, it will deter women from seeking or holding office.
Abdi Guyo Under Fire for Corruption and Illegal Hiring
The attack on Dullo comes at a time when Abdi Guyo is already in the spotlight for serious breaches of public trust. The Senate’s Public Accounts Committee recently grilled him over massive public resource wastage, illegal appointments, and blatant disregard for staffing laws.
Despite the law allowing only four advisors, Guyo hired 36. When asked to name the four legitimate advisors, Guyo could not. Instead, he told the committee that the remaining 32 were not advisors but simply worked under the county’s Public Service Board. The senators weren’t buying it.
“This is public fraud,” one senator told the committee. “You are paying ghost advisors from county funds.”
The Auditor General flagged the spending as unlawful, and senators now want the governor surcharged for illegally paid salaries and allowances.
Guyo didn’t stop there. He also employed two Deputy County Secretaries — when the law clearly allows only one — and padded the county’s administration with 31 Chief Officers, nearly double the legal limit of 18.
The Senate session grew tense, with Governor Guyo and Senator Fatuma Dullo clashing in a shouting match. Dullo questioned how the county could afford to pay such a bloated executive while basic services in Isiolo remain underfunded.
“The people of Isiolo deserve answers,” Dullo said during the session. “We cannot continue to allow public money to be wasted on illegal hires while our clinics run dry, and schools lack teachers.”
Governor Guyo’s Record Casts Doubt on Commitment to Devolution
Guyo’s leadership now raises uncomfortable questions about accountability in county governments. His public outbursts toward a senator demanding transparency, coupled with illegal hiring practices, highlight a pattern of impunity and arrogance.
Rather than answer questions, Guyo seems to prefer bullying his critics — particularly women. His remarks against Dullo were not just tasteless; they were calculated attempts to shame and discredit her in public.
Under the Constitution, senators are mandated to provide oversight over county governments. Dullo was doing exactly that. Instead of responding with facts, Guyo chose insults.
KEWOPA made it clear that women in leadership won’t back down. “Respect, dignity, and equality must be upheld by all leaders,” their statement read. “No woman leader should be intimidated or disrespected for simply doing her job.”
As investigations loom, Guyo’s troubles are piling up. He now faces possible charges for misuse of public funds, illegal appointments, and potential hate speech — all while failing to run a lean and efficient county administration.
This isn’t just about Fatuma Dullo. It’s about the kind of leadership Kenyans must reject. One that is wasteful, vindictive, and hostile to accountability.
