This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
On July 12, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta gave his nod to a bill that seeks to fast-track the removal of County Assembly Members (MCAs) from office. The bill, sponsored by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, aims to address the issue of MCAs who have been accused of neglecting their duties and engaging in fist fights in their chambers.
According to Murkomen, the bill is designed to ensure that county assemblies are bastions of respect and dignity in undertaking their constitutional and legal mandate to represent people, legislate, and ensure the prudent use of resources.
The bill simplifies the process of recalling MCAs by allowing a voter from the ward to champion the process after obtaining over 30% of signatures from the ward's registered voters. The voter will then write to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) within 30 days, and the IEBC will conduct a recall vote within 90 days.
After the MCA seat is declared vacant, a by-election would be conducted within 90 days.
