This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
On October 7, 2019, the Garissa County Assembly was thrown into chaos as two factions clashed over the suspension of four members from the chambers.
A female member, who had recently given birth and was still recovering from a caesarian section, was hospitalized after being hit during the melee as the Sergeant-at-Arms struggled to remove the suspended members.
The suspension was ordered by Speaker Ahmed Abass, who accused the four members - Fatuma Sanweyn (nominated), Hussein Dagane (nominated), Mohamud Omar (Township), and Suleiman Mohamed (Jarajara) - of gross misconduct in the house.
The move sparked angry protests from their allies, who claimed the suspension was illegal and a result of Speaker Abass's bias.
The feud is part of a larger power struggle between Speaker Abass and National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, who is also the Garissa Township MP.
Duale had accused Speaker Abass of leading MCAs to meet with ODM leader Raila Odinga at his Nairobi office, leading to the counter-accusations and disruptions in house business.
