Speaker Ejected, New Date Set for County's Fresh Election

Migori County Assembly Speaker Boaz Okoth and his Deputy Speaker George Omamba were dealt a major blow after a high court nullified their election.

On Friday, High Court Judge Hillary Chemitei ordered that a fresh election be conducted within 14 days under the supervision of the Migori Deputy registrar.

The judgment came after a loser in the Migori Speaker Assembly Kerario Marwa challenged the election citing violence during the voting process.

He told the court that the second round of voting was marred by controversy adding that a winner could not be established.

[caption caption="File image of Speaker Boaz Okoth (L) and Governor Okoth Obado"][/caption]

The petitioner further testified that the election of the Deputy Speaker was presided over by the Speaker.

During the court proceedings, Mr Marwa asked that he be declared the winner and be sworn in.

The Judge, however, declined to grant him the prayer.

Earlier in October, the High Court issued temporary orders nullifying the election of Mr Okoth as the Migori County Assembly speaker.

Justice Anthony Murima gave the orders following a petition filed by Lawyer Kirario Marwa under a certificate of extreme urgency.

In the petition, Okoth was cited as the first respondent and County Assembly Clerk Tom Opere as the second respondent.

Justice Murima ordered Okoth not to act as Migori speaker or conduct any House business.

[caption caption="File image of Migori County Assembly"][/caption]

“In view of the issues that have been raised in this matter, and which are pending determination, a review of the provisions of the constitution and law, am satisfied that this is a matter which interim orders should be issued in the first instance,” Justice Murima stated.

Earlier in January, reports indicated that Nairobi City County Assembly tendered the contract for Speaker Beatrice Elachi's five-bedroomed house directing that the mansion must have a private swimming pool.

Through a notice on the Nairobi Assembly website seen by Kenyans.co.ke, tenderers were directed to submit their tender documents on or before Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 12.00 noon. 

"The mansion's compound must be at least half-acre plot, at least 200M from the main road, not fronting any main road, the service road must be at least 6 meters wide serviced with street lighting Gate and community perimeter wall with electric fencing.  

"No empty plots adjacent to the property and swimming pool, within the designated UN blue zone and a private gate," the tender notice reads.

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