Imagine if politicians fought for human rights the way the fight each other in their political rivalries and for their salaries. Kenya would really be a reformed country with lots of positive hope for the future but instead we have a corrupt country and a huge bill.
This morning has seen drama at Homabay leading to a standoff between two factions of the House as the first group, which spearheaded Speaker Ayoo’s impeachment, blocked her access to the Speaker’s chambers while another allied to her pushed for her entry.
Property of the Assembly was reportedly destroyed during the standoff as hostile youth also gained access to the House.
Obviously determined not to change their stand on Ayoo, a section of the Homa Bay Members of County Assembly (MCAs) today caused a noisy fracas as they sought to deny reinstated Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo access to her office.
In a motion to impeach Elizabeth Ayoo tabled by Ruma Kaksingri MCA Ellyphalet Osuri, the MCAs accused Ms Ayoo of poor leadership and mismanagement of the county assembly resources and affairs.
Tabling the motion, Osuri argued that Ayoo had failed to meet the integrity test required of a county assembly speaker. He said the Speaker had mishandled the County Assembly mace which went missing for more than ten days before its recovery last Sunday.
The mace is a symbol of authority of the county assembly. “Madam Speaker’s laxity caused the mace to be transferred to an unknown destination by allowing persons not permitted to touch it. This rendered the assembly incapacitated,” said Osuri.
Other accusations leveled against the Speaker included unilateral alteration of the assembly calendar, stage-managing disorder which includes barring some MCAs from accessing the county assembly premises and failing to meet transparency and accountability test. Nominated MCA Judith Omogi told Homa Bay residents to shun mentality that Ayoo was impeached because she is a woman.
Kisumu High Court on Tuesday however reinstated embattled Homa Bay County Assembly Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo.
Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge James Rika directed that Ms. Ayoo resume her normal duties as the Speaker, further ordering Homa Bay Police Station OCS to ensure there is no interference.
Justice Rika also ordered that there should be no appointment of any other person as speaker of the assembly until the matter is heard and determined.
Finally he ordered both parties to appear before Justice Nduma Nderi on December 4, 2018 for further directions.
Should the MCA’s pay for the destroyed property in their fight?