Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi has called for disciplinary measures against members of the Jubilee Party who disrupted Tuesday’s plenary session, accusing them of undermining parliamentary decorum and violating party agreements.
Elachi stated that the ward representatives, aligned with Majority Leader Abdi Guyo, engaged in prolonged disruptions including singing, dancing, and chanting anti-Elachi slogans for nearly an hour. She emphasized that their actions set a negative precedent for Nairobi residents and will be reported to the party for formal sanctions.
The disturbances followed a High Court order issued on October 25, which barred Elachi from presiding over assembly sessions or committees until her impeachment motion is resolved. The ruling also restricted the Nairobi City Assembly and its officials from allowing unauthorized individuals into the chamber, citing risks of further disruptions.
The MCAs had previously challenged Elachi’s authority, citing the court’s temporary suspension of her duties. However, Elachi argued that the party’s internal agreements required members to uphold procedural norms, noting that the Jubilee faction’s behavior contradicted these commitments.
The assembly remains divided into two factions: one supporting Elachi’s return and another backing Guyo’s opposition. The latter group has reportedly gathered 67 signatures for a censure motion, though Elachi warned that any attempt to remove Guyo would trigger countermeasures from her supporters.
This follows a two-week suspension of sessions after Elachi’s return to office in October 2019, following her impeachment in September 2018. The ongoing conflict highlights deepening tensions within the county assembly.
