City Manager Tito Koiyet Locked Out of Office for Two Months Amid Power Struggle in Eldoret

 

 A deepening power struggle in Eldoret has left City Manager Tito Koiyet locked out of his office for the past two months, following a violent assault and an ongoing legal dispute over his position.

Koiyet, who returned from leave only to find the locks to his office changed, says he is being unlawfully denied access despite a court order protecting his role. “My keys no longer work, and I’ve been denied entry. This is a blatant contempt of court,” Koiyet told reporters during a protest outside his locked office at the Eldoret West Social Hall.

The dispute stems from the elevation of Eldoret to city status last year, which has sparked a tussle over key administrative roles. Koiyet has filed a petition challenging what he describes as an illegal attempt to remove him from office, and the Employment and Labour Relations Court has issued interim orders restraining interference with his employment.

Despite the court’s ruling, Koiyet alleges that a senior county official recently revoked his accounting officer privileges, a move he says directly violates the standing court order. He has now vowed to pursue contempt of court proceedings against the officials involved.

The situation took a violent turn in February when Koiyet and a female police officer were injured during an assault at the same office. A group of unidentified youths stormed the premises, forcibly removing Koiyet and leaving him with injuries. Police investigations are ongoing, but no arrests have been confirmed.

With City Hall operations severely disrupted, the impasse has strained service delivery in the newly designated city. “City management cannot be run from the streets. This stalemate is harming the public,” Koiyet said.

As tensions continue to mount, Eldoret residents and stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention to restore order and clarity at the helm of city management. The legal and political wrangle is expected to play out further in court in the coming weeks.