This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
July 19, 2019
Leadership changes have rocked the Homa Bay County Assembly, with MCAs allied to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ousting Chief Whip Richard Ogindo.
He was replaced by Kakelo Kokwanyo MCA Dan Were, who took over the position in a move that has sparked divisions among assembly members.
The changes also saw Nominated MCAs Judith Omogi and Ruth Ombura lose their seats in the Finance Committee and Speaker's panel, respectively.
Ms Omogi had served as the vice chairperson of the finance committee, while Ms Ombura was a member of the Speaker's panel.
The Homa Bay County Assembly has 60 members, with 58 elected and nominated on the ODM ticket, and two from Ford Kenya and an independent candidate.
Majority Leader Walter Were presented a motion to the assembly, accusing Mr Ogindo of going against his responsibilities as Chief Whip.
Mr Ogindo was accused of mobilizing MCAs not to attend the assembly proceedings on Tuesday afternoon, which was meant to discuss the County Appropriation Bill.
However, the assembly managed to raise the right quorum and passed the bill.
Mr Were argued that the Chief Whip should inform MCAs to attend assembly sittings, which Mr Ogindo was accused of not doing.
"His intentions were to make the assembly lack quorum so that the proceedings could be suspended and the discussions flop," Mr Muok told members.
Acting Speaker Evans Marieba endorsed the ouster of Mr Ogindo, but the ousted whip opposed the decision, insisting that he is still the Majority Whip.
He argued that Muok and Marieba lacked the Constitutional authority to remove him from the post.
"Nobody can remove me from office. The allegations leveled against me are all fictitious," Mr Ogindo said yesterday.
Suba North ODM chairman Narkiso Tuko said the assembly members are not barred from ousting their leaders in the assembly.
Mr Tuko said the ousted leader can, however, challenge the decision of the assembly members in a court of law.
