Embattled Kericho Governor Erick Mutai has pleaded not guilty to all the charges levelled against him.
They include gross violation of the constitution and other laws, abuse of office and gross misconduct.
The charges were read out by senate clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye.
The development now sets the stage for a full hearing of the case by the Senate plenary.
However, the parties are set to raise preliminary issues before the parties are given time to make their opening remarks.
Thereafter, the county assembly will lay bare their case against the county chief.
Kericho County Assembly pleaded to the Senate to protect a witness who was allegedly abused and forced to do anal sex with Governor Mutai.
Through Lawyer Elias Mutuma, the assembly says that they have written to the speaker to protect the identity and allow the witness to testify on camera.
“You will notice from the presentation and charges read that one of our witnesses is a young lady who will be appearing before the senate to testify on instances of sexual exploitation, ” Mutuma said.
He added;
“to protect the identity of the witnesses, we have made an application to have this witness protected so that she is not exposed to the world.”
However, Mutums says they are willing to have the witnesses meet the governor and his lawyers to know who she is.
“We can allow the council and the governor to meet the witnesses prior to the testimony so that they are able to know who the witness is.”
