The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party's plan to change its leadership at the Nairobi County Assembly has suffered a major setback as MCAs defied the party's directive.
The acting county assembly Speaker Chege Mwaura told off the ODM party national chairman after receiving a letter detailing ODM’s replacement of Minority Leader Elias Otieno and Minority Whip Peter Imwatok.
ODM Chairman John Mbadi had written to the speaker replacing the two leaders with Nyayo Highrise MCA Kennedy Oyugi as the minority leader and Lower Savanna MCA, Nicholas Okumu as the intended minority chief whip.
Speaker Chege annulled the ODM party directive noting that the assembly standing orders require that only the Minority Whip can make political party communications to the assembly.
The speaker, in a letter to Mbadi also faulted the fact that the letter was not accompanied by any minutes from a meeting that guided the decision as dictated by Standing Order 21 (8) of the county assembly.
"You will note that the Deputy Minority leader at the assembly is from a different party, but in the same coalition. Therefore, the decisions contemplated in your letter can only emanate from the coalition for which the Minority Leader was appointed.
"In view of the above reasons, and in order to maintain stability in the house as well as protect the rights of all members regardless of the position, I am afraid I cannot act on your letter as is unless the issues raised are sufficiently addressed," stated the Nairobi County Speaker in a letter to John Mbadi.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Thursday announced changes in its representation at the Nairobi County Assembly.
Mbadi directed that the changes take effect immediately, a move a majority of the opposition allied MCAs have disowned, accusing Mbadi of making decisions without proper consultation.
"The party expects these changes to take effect immediately. Therefore, this letter overrides the earlier communication from the party," stated Mbadi.
He asked the speaker to take a quick action on the changes so as to create a healthy working relationship within the County Assembly.
