Bitter confrontations mark Trans Nzoia Speaker's impeachment

KITALE: Speaker David Sifuna was Wednesday’s removed from office over allegations of corruption.

However, the impeachment Motion was delayed after Sifuna locked himself in his office to avoid the wrath of MCAs whom he also prevented from accessing the mace.

Several attempts by MCAs led by Bidii Ward Rep Mathew Nyarango to access the Speaker's office failed as armed police officers, including Trans Nzoia West Administration Police (AP) Commandant Simon Kirago, barred them.

Drama began when MCAs arrived at the assembly at around 10am in three Nissan matatus from Kapsabet, Nandi County, where they had reportedly been on a retreat since Sunday.

Mr Sifuna had failed to serve Deputy Clerk Colleta Kisika with a court order to stop the impeachment Motion, and Ms Kisika was driven to the assembly then escorted to the chambers by the MCAs who were bent on ensuring that the order was not served.

A bitter exchange of words ensued as the AP Commandant tried to prevail on them to let the court order be served.

HEATED EXCHANGE

But the angry MCAs pushed Mr Kirago out of the way, accusing him of trying to interfere with affairs of the assembly.

"We do not want police here. You have no business here. What we want is the mace to enable us conduct House business," shouted Sikhendu MCA Andrew Kutitila.

The MCAs resolved to break down the Speaker's door using a gas cylinder, prompting the officers to cock their guns.

The rowdy MCAs broke the first and second doors before accessing the Speaker's office and ordered the Sergeant at Arms to carry the mace away.

A shaken Sifuna watched helplessly as the mace was taken away. He was overhead blaming some politicians for his tribulations.

In the chamber, MCAs levelled various accusations against the Speaker, saying he should not have disobeyed summons to appear before the assembly to defend himself.

Called to a vote, 30 MCAs supported the Motion, five rejected, one abstained and one was absent.