The Migori County Assembly on Tuesday elected a substantive deputy speaker to replace Mr George Omamba who was barred from office by the Labour court.
In a two-hour afternoon session chaired by assembly speaker Boaz Okoth, the MCAs unanimously voted in Bukira East MCA Mathews Chacha, bringing a new twist in the plans to impeach embattled Governor Okoth Obado.
Mr Chacha, who formerly served as the head of committee chairpersons in the assembly had replaced Mr Omamba whose reinstatement had been set aside by court.
Mr Omamba withdrew from the race citing “emerging dynamics” after he tried in vain to reclaim the seat following his reinstatement.
In a highly heated session, a section of MCAs led by Mr Omamba criticised the election terming it procedural.
Mr Chacha garnered 41 votes while 11 members abstained from the election. His immediate challenger Leo Ogwada got zero votes.
The push and pull witnessed at the assembly culminated in the swearing in of the deputy speaker by Migori Chief Magistrate Dickson Odhiambo.
Migori MCAs have been embroiled in bitter exchanges after Mr Obado’s impeachment motion was mooted by the ODM party.
The assembly speaker, while addressing the press after the Tuesday session, faulted those opposed to the election claiming they are attention seekers who have been seeking favours from the ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
“We know our mandate as elected members, this notion of some people coming to the assembly with directions purported to be from the party leader is a fallacy that will not be tolerated going forward,” Mr Okoth said.
The speaker, who apparently had been away from office for treatment after he fell sick, resurfaced after the impeachment motion against Mr Obado was mooted by ODM.
- Barack Mbaja, the late Robert Ouko’s brother dies in the US
- More woes for Tuju as his bank accounts frozen
- Tuju arrives in UK for specialised treatment
- Tuju’s property off the hook after depositing Sh50m
He called on the new deputy speaker to work towards restoring peace in the assembly that has experienced violent confrontations following an impeachment wave.
Nyamosense Komosoko Ward Representative Suzanne Mohave called on the MCAs to remain steadfast on their quest to deliver service to the electorates.
“There are a lot of issues that need our attention and the infighting adds no value to the electorate,” she said.
