This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
Published on June 25, 2020, a section of members of the West Pokot County Assembly protested over being denied a chance to participate in the budget estimates pronouncement for the financial year 2020-2021 in a plenary and an open-air session for all.
The assembly suffered a setback following a no-show of the county executive member of finance, Augustine Lotodo, in the assembly. Members faulted the speaker, Catherine Mukenyang, for not conducting the house business in the open as it had earlier been planned, and instead conducted the house business inside the chambers with 11 members, according to the Ministry of Health regulations on Covid-19.
On June 24, 2020, the county Kanu leadership ousted the county assembly majority leader, Thomas Ng'olesya, who was replaced by Weiwei ward representative, David Kapelisiwa, and chief whip Maddy Polokou who was replaced by Endough ward representative, Evanson Lomadunyi, for not supporting the county government agenda.
Deputy speaker Francis Krop led the MCAs in expressing their discontent, saying they were left perturbed outside the tents during the last Wednesday afternoon session only to get a message at 3 o'clock that the sessions were ongoing inside the assembly and were adjourned up to 2.30 pm on Thursday.
The MCAs fear the budget may not be adopted following the crisis in the assembly. Speaking to the press outside the assembly, the leaders accused the speaker of not adhering to the stipulated law and order, and of allegedly bullying them.
Weiwei MCA David Kapelisiwa said that MCAs in the assembly have been denied their right as enshrined in the constitution. Endough ward representative, Evanson Lomadunyi, accused the speaker of being biased.
