Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi declared the seat of nominated MCA Habiba Hussein vacant following two years of absence from plenary and committee sessions, according to a Powers and Privileges committee report. The decision came after Hussein, who was sworn in late 2017, failed to attend any sessions for 24 months.
Senator Millicent Omanga defended Hussein, revealing the MCA had been hospitalized multiple times since 2018 after experiencing severe health complications following the stillbirth of her daughter Shadia. The baby, born with heart defects on November 21, 2018, died hours after birth due to a blocked A-V valve, exacerbating Hussein's medical condition.
Omanga condemned remarks by Elachi and Kitsuru MCA Alvin Palala that she claimed trivialized Hussein's tragedy, calling the criticism "almost Satanic." She criticized Elachi for allowing unverified statements about Hussein's absence, stating the speaker had failed to maintain parliamentary decorum.
The Nairobi County Assembly's Standing Orders 242(1) stipulates that a seat becomes vacant if an MCA misses sessions after committee investigations. Elachi confirmed the vacancy, noting the Jubilee Party was informed. The assembly now has 121 members, with Jubilee reduced to 65 following Hussein's removal.
