This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
On June 11, 2020, the West Pokot County Assembly was forced to adjourn due to a lack of quorum, amidst an ongoing leadership row.
Only six Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) were present in the chambers, including the Majority Leader and five MCAs from the Jubilee Party minority.
Security officers struggled to control the situation, as MCAs from the majority side had threatened to storm the Assembly, despite guidelines on social distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The standoff comes after MCAs from the Kanu party ousted the County Assembly Majority Leader, Thomas Ng'olesya, and replaced him with David Kapelisiwa, a representative from the Weiwei ward.
The Chief Whip, Maddy Polokou, was also reportedly replaced by Evanson Lomadunyi, a representative from the Endough ward, for not supporting the County Government's agenda.
Police officers were deployed to provide security as the disagreement between the two factions threatened to escalate into chaos.
Kanu Secretary General, Nick Salat, has dismissed the changes made by the MCAs, stating that the party was not consulted.
Already, 12 KANU MCAs have been summoned to appear before the party's disciplinary committee for failing to follow the party's line.
Speaker Catherine Mukenyang was left with no option but to adjourn the session, citing the need to adhere to social distancing rules.
The MCAs from the Kanu party have now threatened to impeach the Speaker, accusing her of favoritism.
