Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo Rejects Arrest Order, Claims Political Persecution
Quote from Lawyer on September 6, 2025, 6:20 amIsiolo Governor Ibrahim Abdi Hassan, popularly known as Abdi Guyo, has publicly dismissed an arrest order issued by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) as baseless and politically motivated. The directive, announced on September 5, 2025, calls for the arrest of Governor Guyo and seven associates over allegations of kidnapping with intent to cause grievous harm and robbery with violence. The accusations stem from an incident on June 19, 2025, at Outbark Hotel in Maanzoni, Machakos County, where former Isiolo County Chief Officer of Health, Abdirahaman Mohamed, was allegedly assaulted, kidnapped, and abandoned.
The ODPP’s statement detailed that Abdirahaman Mohamed was meeting with 15 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) who supported an impeachment motion against Governor Guyo when the incident occurred. According to the prosecution, CCTV footage from the hotel placed Governor Guyo at the scene alongside seven individuals: Abdullahi Jaldesa Banticah, Dade Boru, Abdirashid Ali Diba (alias Ngila), Abdinur Dima Jiilo, Ahmed Duale, Josephat Mwangi Komu, and Yusuf Maina. The ODPP alleges that, under Guyo’s instructions, the group forcibly disarmed and attacked Abdirahaman, bundled him into a vehicle, and drove him to the Ruai Sewage area, where he was blindfolded, beaten, and abandoned. During the ordeal, Abdirahaman reportedly lost a licensed Glock pistol with 15 rounds, an iPhone 16, KSh70,000 in cash, and other personal belongings.
Governor Guyo, in a defiant response, rejected the allegations as an attempt to intimidate and silence him. “The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions issued a statement calling for my arrest alongside seven others over allegations of kidnapping with intent to cause grievous harm and robbery with violence. I wish to make it clear that these allegations are baseless, politically motivated, and clearly intended to intimidate and silence us,” Guyo stated. He emphasized that he has never been arrested or linked to criminal activity in his life, adding, “Having been raised as an orphan, I have always conducted myself with dignity, respect for the rule of law, and dedication to serving the people of Isiolo.”
The governor also pointed to a conservatory order issued by the Kiambu High Court on August 27, 2025, which restrained the ODPP and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) from arresting or harassing him and his colleagues until the matter is heard and determined. Lady Justice Dorah Chepkwony, presiding during the High Court recess, certified the application as urgent and issued the order to prevent the DCI and ODPP from interfering with the petitioners pending a full hearing. The court further directed the petitioners to serve their application on the respondents immediately, with both sides ordered to file written submissions within seven days.
Guyo called on his supporters and the residents of Isiolo to remain calm and steadfast amid the controversy. “I urge the people of Isiolo to stay united and not be swayed by these attempts to destabilize our leadership,” he said. The governor’s remarks come in the context of ongoing political tensions in Isiolo County, which have been marked by a failed impeachment attempt, allegations of financial mismanagement, and strained relations with the County Assembly.
The impeachment saga, which unfolded in June 2025, saw 16 out of 18 Isiolo County Assembly members vote in favor of removing Guyo, citing gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violation of constitutional duties. The charges included accusations of mismanaging county assets, stalling development projects, and appointing an excessive number of advisors (36, against the legal limit of four) and chief officers (31, exceeding the allowed 18). However, the Senate ruled on July 8, 2025, that the impeachment process was invalid due to procedural flaws and a court order halting the proceedings. Thirty-one senators upheld the governor’s objections, while 12 voted to proceed, securing Guyo’s position.
Further complicating the political landscape, Governor Guyo has faced repeated summons from various Senate committees, including the Labour and Social Welfare Committee, the County Public Accounts Committee, the Health Committee, and others, over issues ranging from financial discrepancies to employment practices. In October 2024, the Senate Labour Committee, chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, issued a warrant for Guyo’s arrest after he failed to appear before the committee for the third time, accusing him of being “notorious” for ignoring oversight summons. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi also directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to arrest and present Guyo before the Senate, emphasizing that governors are obligated to comply with parliamentary summons under Article 125 of the Constitution.
The governor’s administration has also been under scrutiny for alleged corruption and mismanagement. A June 2025 report by Kenya Insights accused Guyo of running a “corruption empire” involving ghost workers, phantom tenders, and illegal bank accounts. The report claimed that Isiolo County operated 13 commercial bank accounts outside the Central Bank of Kenya, in violation of Public Finance Management regulations, and highlighted a Sh42 million water pipeline project in Kinna that was paid in full but left incomplete. The Senate County Public Accounts Committee flagged Guyo for employing excessive advisors and chief officers, leading to calls for surcharges and further investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
In addition to these challenges, Guyo has been criticized for misogynistic remarks against Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, who has been a vocal critic of his administration. In June 2025, the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) condemned Guyo for making crude and demeaning comments about Dullo’s personal life, labeling them as gender-based violence and demanding a public apology. The NGEC called for investigations by the EACC, DCI, and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to hold the governor accountable.
Guyo’s recent cabinet reshuffle, announced on September 1, 2025, saw the dismissal of three County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and a reduction of chief officers from 31 to 21, though still above the legal limit. The governor framed the changes as an effort to streamline service delivery and boost efficiency, but political observers suggest the moves were strategic to balance clan politics and consolidate power ahead of the 2027 general election. The reshuffle also reduced the roles of his deputy and appointed Abdi Edin Ali as County Spokesperson.
The political crisis in Isiolo has been further exacerbated by internal strife within the County Assembly, where two speakers and two clerks claim legitimacy, creating a governance paralysis. Senate Speaker Kingi, during the impeachment proceedings, urged Guyo to mend ties with county leaders, including Senator Dullo and the County Assembly, to restore stability. Political analyst Ismail Dika noted that Guyo’s survival of the impeachment and the vacant CECM positions reflect a delicate balancing act to appease various clans while maintaining loyalty from key allies.
The arrest order has also drawn attention to broader security concerns in Isiolo. In August 2025, Mzee Idle Hassan, Secretary General of the Somali Council of Elders, was shot multiple times near Jamia Mosque in Isiolo town. Guyo linked the attack to Mzee Idle’s opposition to the failed impeachment motion, describing it as a “brazen and cowardly act” and raising concerns about suspected Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) operatives aiming to disrupt peace in the region. He called for swift investigations by national security agencies to restore public confidence.
As the legal and political battles continue, Governor Guyo remains defiant, framing the arrest order as part of a broader campaign to undermine his leadership. With the Kiambu High Court’s conservatory order in place, the immediate threat of arrest has been stalled, but the outcome of the case remains uncertain. The residents of Isiolo await clarity on whether their governor will face charges or continue to navigate the turbulent political landscape with his characteristic resolve.
Isiolo Governor Ibrahim Abdi Hassan, popularly known as Abdi Guyo, has publicly dismissed an arrest order issued by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) as baseless and politically motivated. The directive, announced on September 5, 2025, calls for the arrest of Governor Guyo and seven associates over allegations of kidnapping with intent to cause grievous harm and robbery with violence. The accusations stem from an incident on June 19, 2025, at Outbark Hotel in Maanzoni, Machakos County, where former Isiolo County Chief Officer of Health, Abdirahaman Mohamed, was allegedly assaulted, kidnapped, and abandoned.
The ODPP’s statement detailed that Abdirahaman Mohamed was meeting with 15 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) who supported an impeachment motion against Governor Guyo when the incident occurred. According to the prosecution, CCTV footage from the hotel placed Governor Guyo at the scene alongside seven individuals: Abdullahi Jaldesa Banticah, Dade Boru, Abdirashid Ali Diba (alias Ngila), Abdinur Dima Jiilo, Ahmed Duale, Josephat Mwangi Komu, and Yusuf Maina. The ODPP alleges that, under Guyo’s instructions, the group forcibly disarmed and attacked Abdirahaman, bundled him into a vehicle, and drove him to the Ruai Sewage area, where he was blindfolded, beaten, and abandoned. During the ordeal, Abdirahaman reportedly lost a licensed Glock pistol with 15 rounds, an iPhone 16, KSh70,000 in cash, and other personal belongings.
Governor Guyo, in a defiant response, rejected the allegations as an attempt to intimidate and silence him. “The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions issued a statement calling for my arrest alongside seven others over allegations of kidnapping with intent to cause grievous harm and robbery with violence. I wish to make it clear that these allegations are baseless, politically motivated, and clearly intended to intimidate and silence us,” Guyo stated. He emphasized that he has never been arrested or linked to criminal activity in his life, adding, “Having been raised as an orphan, I have always conducted myself with dignity, respect for the rule of law, and dedication to serving the people of Isiolo.”
The governor also pointed to a conservatory order issued by the Kiambu High Court on August 27, 2025, which restrained the ODPP and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) from arresting or harassing him and his colleagues until the matter is heard and determined. Lady Justice Dorah Chepkwony, presiding during the High Court recess, certified the application as urgent and issued the order to prevent the DCI and ODPP from interfering with the petitioners pending a full hearing. The court further directed the petitioners to serve their application on the respondents immediately, with both sides ordered to file written submissions within seven days.
Guyo called on his supporters and the residents of Isiolo to remain calm and steadfast amid the controversy. “I urge the people of Isiolo to stay united and not be swayed by these attempts to destabilize our leadership,” he said. The governor’s remarks come in the context of ongoing political tensions in Isiolo County, which have been marked by a failed impeachment attempt, allegations of financial mismanagement, and strained relations with the County Assembly.
The impeachment saga, which unfolded in June 2025, saw 16 out of 18 Isiolo County Assembly members vote in favor of removing Guyo, citing gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violation of constitutional duties. The charges included accusations of mismanaging county assets, stalling development projects, and appointing an excessive number of advisors (36, against the legal limit of four) and chief officers (31, exceeding the allowed 18). However, the Senate ruled on July 8, 2025, that the impeachment process was invalid due to procedural flaws and a court order halting the proceedings. Thirty-one senators upheld the governor’s objections, while 12 voted to proceed, securing Guyo’s position.
Further complicating the political landscape, Governor Guyo has faced repeated summons from various Senate committees, including the Labour and Social Welfare Committee, the County Public Accounts Committee, the Health Committee, and others, over issues ranging from financial discrepancies to employment practices. In October 2024, the Senate Labour Committee, chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, issued a warrant for Guyo’s arrest after he failed to appear before the committee for the third time, accusing him of being “notorious” for ignoring oversight summons. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi also directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to arrest and present Guyo before the Senate, emphasizing that governors are obligated to comply with parliamentary summons under Article 125 of the Constitution.
The governor’s administration has also been under scrutiny for alleged corruption and mismanagement. A June 2025 report by Kenya Insights accused Guyo of running a “corruption empire” involving ghost workers, phantom tenders, and illegal bank accounts. The report claimed that Isiolo County operated 13 commercial bank accounts outside the Central Bank of Kenya, in violation of Public Finance Management regulations, and highlighted a Sh42 million water pipeline project in Kinna that was paid in full but left incomplete. The Senate County Public Accounts Committee flagged Guyo for employing excessive advisors and chief officers, leading to calls for surcharges and further investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
In addition to these challenges, Guyo has been criticized for misogynistic remarks against Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, who has been a vocal critic of his administration. In June 2025, the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) condemned Guyo for making crude and demeaning comments about Dullo’s personal life, labeling them as gender-based violence and demanding a public apology. The NGEC called for investigations by the EACC, DCI, and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to hold the governor accountable.
Guyo’s recent cabinet reshuffle, announced on September 1, 2025, saw the dismissal of three County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and a reduction of chief officers from 31 to 21, though still above the legal limit. The governor framed the changes as an effort to streamline service delivery and boost efficiency, but political observers suggest the moves were strategic to balance clan politics and consolidate power ahead of the 2027 general election. The reshuffle also reduced the roles of his deputy and appointed Abdi Edin Ali as County Spokesperson.
The political crisis in Isiolo has been further exacerbated by internal strife within the County Assembly, where two speakers and two clerks claim legitimacy, creating a governance paralysis. Senate Speaker Kingi, during the impeachment proceedings, urged Guyo to mend ties with county leaders, including Senator Dullo and the County Assembly, to restore stability. Political analyst Ismail Dika noted that Guyo’s survival of the impeachment and the vacant CECM positions reflect a delicate balancing act to appease various clans while maintaining loyalty from key allies.
The arrest order has also drawn attention to broader security concerns in Isiolo. In August 2025, Mzee Idle Hassan, Secretary General of the Somali Council of Elders, was shot multiple times near Jamia Mosque in Isiolo town. Guyo linked the attack to Mzee Idle’s opposition to the failed impeachment motion, describing it as a “brazen and cowardly act” and raising concerns about suspected Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) operatives aiming to disrupt peace in the region. He called for swift investigations by national security agencies to restore public confidence.
As the legal and political battles continue, Governor Guyo remains defiant, framing the arrest order as part of a broader campaign to undermine his leadership. With the Kiambu High Court’s conservatory order in place, the immediate threat of arrest has been stalled, but the outcome of the case remains uncertain. The residents of Isiolo await clarity on whether their governor will face charges or continue to navigate the turbulent political landscape with his characteristic resolve.