3 Nyamira MCAs suspended for allegedly organizing chaos at the assembly

By Mourice Seretta

Nyamira County Assembly Speaker Moffat Teya on Wednesday suspended three Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) for allegedly organizing chaos that were witnessed in the County Assembly on Monday, 13 April.

On Monday, the Proceedings at the County Assembly turned into a battlefield as members exchanged kicks and blows following a disagreement about nominees in the Committee on Appointments report and the confirmation of deputy governor nominee James Gesami with others also opposed to the process of constituting various House committees.

Trouble started immediately after Speaker Teya took his seat and ordered the Assembly’s Clerk to read the Order Paper.

But Members of the County Assembly opposed the contents of the Order Paper and shouted the Speaker down accusing him of being used by external forces to divide the Assembly in favour of a politician who had declared his candidature for the seat of governor in the 2022 General Election.

Some members who had been designated to sit at the public gallery jumped over the barrier separating the gallery and the chambers and went to the floor to grab the mace with the intention of stopping the House from transacting its business.

The mace is the symbol of authority in the House and no business can be transacted without it being in its place.

Sergeant-at-Arms orderlies had a hectic time shielding the Speaker from some MCAs who were threatening to manhandle him.

A section of MCAs also questioned the delay to approve the nominee for the environment executive post, leading to a disagreement which saw the session adjourned.

Speaker Teya later told journalists that the issue bedeviling the assembly was minor and will be solved.

Mr Teya denied allegations of sharp divisions in the assembly.

“There are no divisions in the assembly … it is all about interests, which is very normal. I believe they will come to a consensus … that is why I let them argue,” the Speaker said.

“MCAs are politicians and they are representing their people. When they disagree, it means they are expressing the interest of their people. Let them express themselves as we look for a middle ground,” He further said.

During the altercation, Nyamaiya MCA Raban Masira squared it out with his Rigoma counterpart Benson Sironga as Ekerenyo Ward Rep Thaddeus Nyabaro exchanged blows with Gesima Ward Rep Charles Maroko.

Wrangles at the assembly have persisted for several years now, at times derailing service delivery and spilling over to the executive.

In March, the assembly also turned chaotic, after a section of the members of the assembly raised issues with the speaker for colluding with some members to kick them from key house committees.

Then, the leader of majority was faulted for failing to take proper position on guiding the house.

Lately, Governor Nyaribo has been consistent in urging the assembly leadership to closely work with the executive, for this will improve service delivery.