This archive report was first published on 19 May 2020.
On May 19, 2020, the Bungoma County Assembly was turned into a wrestling ground as ward bosses engaged in fistcuffs over plans to impeach the assembly majority leader, Florence Wekesa. The chaos erupted as a snake skin was found hidden in Wekesa's office, sparking claims of witchcraft and protection.
According to sources, the MCAs who were supporting the motion to impeach Wekesa accused her of failing in her duties and colluding with the executive. They also accused the assembly speaker, Emmanuel Situma, of disregarding his role as the assembly prefect and colluding with the executive.
Those against the motion, however, defended Wekesa, saying she had played her role extremely well as the leader of majority, uniting both the assembly leaders and the executives. Wekesa herself observed that she had done nothing wrong and that the impeachment plans were a result of a misunderstanding.
Joseph Nyongesa, the proposed replacement for Wekesa as the majority leader, accused her of failing to condemn the armed anti-riot police officers who stopped the health committee members from interrogating members of the executive over the purchase of expensive jerry cans. He also accused her of not convening a meeting to discuss how to share the Sh100 million from the assembly kitty meant for special programs in fighting the corona virus.
