Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Hon. Mohamed Roba Qoto has moved to the High Court in Machakos seeking anticipatory bail, alleging imminent arbitrary arrest and harassment orchestrated by the Governor of Isiolo County to block a scheduled impeachment motion.
Through his lawyer Danstan Omari, Hon. Roba filed an urgent application on June 24, 2025, under a certificate of urgency. The application claims the Speaker’s rights are under serious threat due to a politically motivated scheme aimed at derailing the impeachment of Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan, which was scheduled for debate on June 26, 2025.
In court documents, Roba alleges that his arrest by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Machakos was arbitrary and without any formal charges or summons. He was released on a Ksh. 100,000 police cash bail and instructed to report back to the police station on June 25. According to his affidavit, the arrest was a ploy by the Governor, working in concert with police, to prevent him from presiding over the impeachment proceedings.
Omari, in his submission, stated that his client has credible intelligence from both police and County insiders that more arrests were planned targeting pro-impeachment Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) and the Speaker himself. The goal, he says, is to incapacitate the Assembly ahead of the critical sitting.
“The unlawful actions of the Respondents, at the direction of the Governor, are aimed at frustrating the constitutional oversight role of the Assembly,” the application states, accusing the Governor of weaponizing state security apparatus to cling to power.
Among the orders sought is a conservatory order restraining the police and other state agents from arresting, harassing, or interfering with the Speaker, unless proper investigations are conducted and due process followed. Roba also seeks the reinstatement of his personal security, which he claims was withdrawn in the wake of his move to support the impeachment motion.
Justice Noel I. Adagi certified the application as urgent and directed that it be served to the respondents the DCI, Inspector General of Police, and the Director of Public Prosecutions within three hours. The matter is set to be heard virtually on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 9:00 AM.
The impeachment motion against Governor Hassan, tabled by Hon. Abubakar Abdi Godana, cites gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, and gross misconduct, including bloated appointments, sexist remarks, financial mismanagement, and illegal staffing. The motion has garnered significant support among MCAs and drawn national attention.
Hon. Roba now hopes the court will shield him from what he calls “malicious persecution” and allow the Assembly to conduct its constitutional mandate without interference.
