Wajir Speaker tussle with assembly over clerk lands in court

Bishar Omar    PHOTO:COURTESY

By Standard Reporter

Wajir County Assembly Speaker Bishar Omar’s attempt to recruit a new clerk has hit a snag after the matter was taken to court.

Members of the Assembly led by Majority Leader Mohamed Mohamud had opposed the Speaker’s alleged unilateral recruitment of a new person to replace the current interim clerk without following due process.

The confrontation led to a scene in the assembly last Friday, when a split vote saw Speaker Omar’s preferred candidate defeated by 30 votes to 14. However, the Speaker allegedly declared the loser the victor. Mr Mohamud has now gone to court seeking orders to have the Speaker stopped from having his way.

Fill slot

“Hon Omar chaired a meeting of the Wajir County Assembly Service Board last week, which is yet to be fully operational since the Public Assembly Service Board member slot is yet to be competitively advertised and filled,” the majority leader said.

Governor Ahmed Mohamed  (pictured) distanced himself from the matter, insisting that the Constitution was clear and that the law should take its course.

“This is a matter for the courts now, but the fact remains that the Speaker is a referee,” Mr Mohamed said.

Ward representatives had claimed the Speaker placed a paid advertisement in a local newspaper without the approval of the County Assembly Service Board and signed his name as the advertiser instead of the interim clerk.