Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo has strongly rejected a directive by Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) ordering his arrest alongside seven others over charges of kidnapping and robbery with violence.
In a statement released on Friday, Governor Guyo dismissed the allegations as “baseless, politically motivated, and deliberately designed to intimidate and silence us.”
The ODPP accused the governor and his allies of kidnapping with intent to cause grievous harm and robbery with violence, both of which are serious criminal charges under Kenyan law. If proven, the offences carry heavy penalties, including possible life imprisonment.
However, Guyo, who has governed Isiolo County since 2022, insists the accusations are fabricated. He argued that he has “never been arrested or associated with any criminal activity,” citing his upbringing as an orphan and his record of public service as evidence of his respect for the rule of law.
“These charges are frivolous, speculative, and deliberately designed to tarnish my reputation as Governor of Isiolo,” he said.
Furthermore, the governor revealed he had already secured an anticipatory court order on 27 August 2025, restraining both the ODPP and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) from arresting or harassing him until the matter is heard and determined.
Meanwhile, several Members of the Isiolo County Assembly (MCAs) have dismissed the alleged arrest letter as false, unfounded, and politically choreographed. Ten MCAs who claim to have been present during the alleged incident vowed to testify that the charges were fabricated, describing the move as an attempt to coerce the governor into a political truce.
Political observers note that the case could be part of wider bargaining tactics, with claims that certain actors are exploiting the criminal allegations to settle political scores. This, they warn, risks heightening tensions between the county and national leadership at a time when Kenya’s political climate is already volatile.
Still, Governor Guyo urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid confrontation, stressing that he remains focused on his constitutional mandate.
“I remain committed to serving the people of Isiolo and upholding justice, truth, and the will of the people,” he added.
The ODPP has not yet responded publicly to the governor’s claims of political persecution.
