The fight to save Kericho Governor Erick Mutai’s political career is hanging by a thread. Explosive evidence presented in the Senate has revealed a chilling tale of extortion, ghost projects, and financial mismanagement.
What was once whispered in corridors is now official testimony: senior officials were forced to surrender their savings to fund the governor’s demands, millions vanished in dubious contracts, and critical disaster funds remain unaccounted for.
The impeachment showdown is now more than a political fight—it is a damning test of accountability in Kenyan county leadership.
Whistleblowers Reveal Ghost Projects and Culture of Extortion in Kericho County
The impeachment hearing of Governor Erick Mutai, which started on August 27, has thrown Kericho politics into turmoil. Testimonies have linked the county chief to a web of extortion, ghost projects, and abuse of office.
The Kericho County Assembly detailed how Governor Mutai allegedly coerced senior staff into sending him money under duress. Some witnesses revealed they contributed over Ksh1.5 million from their personal savings to satisfy the Governor’s demands.
Former County Executive Committee member Edna Tanui said she was dismissed for resisting Mutai’s endless demands. She testified that in just two years, she contributed Ksh1.5 million. According to Tanui, the requests often came through phone calls or through the Governor’s personal aides.
“The calls were clear. You are told, ‘I have something urgent, kindly send Ksh10,000 or Ksh20,000.’ At times, the Governor demanded hundreds of thousands. Failure to comply meant you risked losing your job,” Tanui explained.
Other officials who resisted were also sacked, creating a culture of fear and submission inside county offices.
Evidence of Ghost Projects and Missing Millions
Advocate Elisha Ongaya, representing the County Assembly, presented hard financial evidence of abuse. He revealed that the county lost Ksh8.4 million through double retention payments made to eight companies. Ongaya argued this was not an isolated case but a consistent pattern of financial abuse tied to Erick Mutai ghost projects.
One of the most shocking allegations was the disappearance of Ksh9 million allocated to the Londiani accident victims’ fund. Despite the tragedy that claimed dozens of lives, records showed the funds remain unaccounted for. Vouchers and transaction slips were presented before the Senate, challenging Mutai’s defence that he had no direct involvement in the payments.
The Assembly further accused the Governor of approving inflated costs for projects that were never completed. One case involved a Ksh2 million house renovation project that was allegedly paid for but never carried out.
Mutai was also accused of invading private land for a county dumping site without following legal procedures. Residents have since been left battling ownership disputes, sparking new tensions in Kericho.
Mutai’s Defence and Political Counterattack
Governor Mutai has dismissed the charges as a witch hunt. He told the Senate that the impeachment motion was politically engineered to end his leadership. According to him, the accusations were fabricated and maliciously timed.
He further claimed that key financial reports were deliberately withheld until after the impeachment process had already begun. Mutai accused the Kericho County Assembly Speaker of harbouring ambitions to take over his office, framing the impeachment as a power grab rather than an accountability process.
Despite his defence, the weight of evidence presented to the Senate has left Mutai in an uphill battle. The testimonies, financial records, and ghost projects have painted a grim picture of an administration riddled with corruption.
What Erick Mutai Ghost Projects Mean for Kericho’s Future
The impeachment showdown is more than a fight for one man’s political survival. It has exposed deep cracks in how county governments manage resources. Millions have vanished while residents struggle with poor services, abandoned projects, and unfulfilled promises.
For Kericho residents, the accusations raise questions about trust and accountability. If county officials could be coerced into funding the Governor personally, and if disaster funds could disappear without a trace, what hope is left for ordinary citizens?
The Senate now faces the task of deciding whether Erick Mutai’s conduct warrants removal from office. Whatever the outcome, the Erick Mutai ghost projects scandal has already reshaped the political landscape of Kericho. It is a case that highlights the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and stronger safeguards against abuse of power in county governments.
