Ten Members of the Nyamira County Assembly are facing imminent suspension and the potential loss of their political seats following a damning report from the Powers and Privileges Committee.
The influential committee has recommended their removal for allegedly missing eight consecutive sittings, coupled with broader accusations of indiscipline.
County Assembly Speaker Thadaus Nyabaro presented the report, citing violations of the assembly's Standing Orders. Nyabaro underscored that such prolonged absenteeism directly undermines the legislative duties of the assembly members compromising their crucial role in public representation.
"The Commission's power and privileges recommend that Article 184 1b of the constitution of Kenya, the County of Assembly of Nyamira resolves that the speaker declares vacant the offices of the following members of the county assembly," the report reads in part.
The decision and recommendation follow a rigorous debate, signatures, and a compelling report by the Powers and Privileges Committee, chaired by Bonyamatuta MCA Julius Matwere, which the county assembly is considering to adopt.
"It is clear that the members mentioned in this case violated many sections of the law. It should be noted that there is a fundamental duty of a member of the county assembly to represent the electorate who elected us in these positions," the seconder of the motion emphasized.
Among the 10 are two elected MCAs;
1. Nyambega Gisesa (Rigoma)
2. Joel Ombongi (Bokeira)
All elected through the UPA party ticket, whose party leader is Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo.
Others affected are nominated MCAs including:
3. Martha Marua (ANC)
4. Janerose Nafula Nyakundi (ODM)
5. Jeriah Nyakangi (UPA)
6. Zipporah Matundura (Wiper)
7. Elijah Abere (UPA)
8. Edina Obara (UPA)
9. Beatrice Onyancha (UPA)
10. Lydiah Bosire
Additionally, the county assembly also suspended MCAs Abel Mokaya and Lameck Sikweya Enana for two months and barred them from attending eight consecutive sittings as a disciplinary measure.
Adopting the report
The committee has proposed that the seats held by the ten be declared vacant, and the full Assembly is expected to vote on whether to adopt the report.
The affected MCAs have been allowed to issue valid reasons for missing the sittings, failure to which their seats will be declared vacant, triggering by-elections for the elected members and replacement processes for the nominated ones.
According to the report, the eight had, for eight months, continued to hold parallel sessions under the Bunge Mashinani while the County Assembly conducted official business in the assembly chambers.
The High Court in Bomet had ruled three weeks ago that the Bunge Mashinani sittings were illegal and only recognized the group sitting in the main assembly as legitimate.
The development adds to the already boiling crisis in Nyamira County Assembly, which has in recent months been split into rival camps between former Speaker Enock Okero and the Nyabaro group which has been holding sittings in the assembly, each with its own speaker and clerk.
