A composite photo of Kericho County Assembly lead counsel Elisha Ongoya (left) and Katwa Kigen, representing Governor Erick Mutai in impeachment trial/FILEKericho County Assembly has assembled a team of 12 seasoned lawyers to defend its case in the impeachment of Governor Erick Mutai as the trial begins at the Senate.
Prominent lawyer Elisha Ongoya, who represented former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in his impeachment case, will be the lead counsel.
He will be assisted by Kimutai Bosek, Sharon Mibey, Elias Mutuma, Hillary Kiplangat, Brian Langat, Geoffrey Langat and Victor Kibet.
Others are Evans Kiplangat, Elvis Kipkorir, Joel Wakhungu, and Vincent Kipronoh.
Also lined up in the list submitted to the Senate are four legal officers—Brian Maingi, Ian Kiplangat, Mitchel Mutuma and Japhet Koech.
Ongoya and Mutuma are no strangers to the Senate, having featured prominently in multiple impeachment cases.
Apart from forming a team of lawyers who represented Gachagua, Ongoya successfully defended ex-Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza alongside Mutuma during her two impeachment cases which saw her retain the seat.
He also played a key role in the legal team that successfully challenged the controversial Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) that sought to amend the constitution.
He is currently a partner at Ongoya and Wambola Advocates and a senior lecturer at Kabarak University.
The assembly will be banking on their vast experience on past impeachment cases to have the county boss sent packing.
Mutai, who was impeached by the Assembly on August 15, faces three charges of gross violation of the constitution, abuse of office, and misconduct.
Documents tabled at the Senate by the assembly outline multiple instances of financial impropriety, nepotism, and disregard for the law.
The charges detail a string of allegations ranging from the misappropriation of county funds to illegal appointments and blatant contempt of court orders.
The Assembly has also listed all MCAs, including the Speaker and senior staff from the Hansard and legal departments, as part of the delegation that will be at the Senate to witness the proceedings during the three-day process which officially commences Wednesday.
Governor Mutai, on his part, has lined up six lawyers led by Katwa Kigen.
Kigen is a seasoned lawyer, having previously represented President William Ruto alongside other lawyers at the ICC.
Others are Peter Wanyama, Rose Thiong’o, Doris Ng’eno, Joash Mitei, and Evanson Kirui.
Mutai hopes to have the Senate dismiss his impeachment trial on the basis of three preliminary objections as the hearing begins tomorrow.
He is challenging the legality, procedure, and integrity of the impeachment process initiated by the County Assembly.
In documents submitted to the Senate, Mutai argues that the impeachment proceedings violated active court orders, failed to meet the constitutional threshold for removal from office, and relied on a deeply flawed and insecure electronic voting system that lacked transparency and accountability.
At the center of his legal challenge is a conservatory order issued by the High Court in Kericho on August 14, 2025, barring the County Assembly from tabling, debating, or voting on the impeachment motion until an inter partes hearing scheduled for August 28.
He says despite the stay order, the County Assembly proceeded with the vote on August 15, a move he describes as a blatant disregard for the rule of law and a violation of judicial authority.
