Kenya’s Senate is expected to rule on Friday whether Kericho Governor Erick Mutai will keep his seat or be forced out, after a heated impeachment process that has gripped the country.

The motion, initiated by the Kericho County Assembly, accuses the governor of gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office and misconduct. Senators have spent three days listening to evidence and cross-examinations from both the Assembly and Mr Mutai’s defence team.

“Kericho County Governor (Dr) Erick Mutai will know his fate today as the Senate deliberates and considers a motion by Kericho County Assembly proposing his removal from office through impeachment,” the Senate said in a statement.

The case has drawn national attention. It is the second time in less than a year that the governor has faced the threat of impeachment, and the outcome could set a precedent for how Kenya handles county-level disputes.

Mr Mutai’s lawyers argued that the Assembly’s impeachment vote was flawed. They claim only 29 members supported his removal, below the legal threshold of 32, and that four votes cast in his favour were wrongly counted as supporting impeachment. The Assembly insists that 33 members voted to oust him.

On Thursday, the governor mounted a spirited defence, describing the proceedings as politically motivated. “This is nothing short of a witch-hunt,” he told senators, urging them to throw out the charges.

For the impeachment to succeed, at least 24 of the Senate’s 47 elected members must vote against him. The chamber convened a special sitting outside its usual schedule to deliberate on the case.

The final decision now rests with the Senate. Its ruling will determine whether Mr Mutai remains in office or becomes one of the few county governors in Kenya to be removed through impeachment.