MCAs plan to oust Kisumu County assembly deputy speaker

The wrangles in the Kisumu County assembly have taken a new twist as the minority parties plan to move a vote of no confidence against Deputy Speaker Pamela Jossy.

The motion set to be moved this Wednesday will most probably spark drama as the assembly makes a second attempt to stop Ms Jossy from chairing the House sessions.

People Democratic Party's (PDP) Bob Ndolo said his party and Federal Party of Kenya (FPK) will meet today in a bid to decide who among them will move the motion on behalf of the minority.

Mr Ndolo told The Standard they are going to accuse Jossy of behaving inappropriately by breaking into an office that doesn't belong to her.

"We will be accusing her of gross misconduct. She broke into the Speaker's office using a bolt cutter, yet the office should remain closed until the case against the embattled Speaker Anne Adul is concluded," said Ndolo.

He added that the office has always remained closed and was only opened for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga to sign the visitors' book.

This, however, has always been disputed by the deputy speaker who argues that acting Speaker Gabriel Ochieng' has been occupying the office while Ms Adul was away and, therefore, should be given the same treatment.

Ndolo added the deputy Speaker exhibited a behaviour that should not be displayed by any public officer as it is against the Constitution's Chapter six on Leadership and Integrity.

"She did this despite the fact that the county was holding the Devolution Conference, giving a bad image to not only the assembly but the county as a whole," said Ndolo.

The planned motion has, however, elicited mixed reactions from the members. While some MCAs are waiting for the motion to be tabled, others have made up their minds on shooting it down, claiming that it is ill-timed.

Nominated ODM MCA Aslam Khan said he will follow what his party decides.

"We must be loyal to our party positions and not go against it especially in matters that have been affecting the assembly," said Mr Khan.

He, however, questioned the minority's move, claiming it will be funny if they pull through with their quest. He warned other ODM members against supporting a move to censure one of their own.

"There might be an ulterior motive behind the motion but for me, the interest of the party comes first," he said.

East Seme MCA Aggrey Ogosi accused the Majority Leader Samuel Ong'ow of being behind the move by the minority side.

"This motion is being sponsored by the leader of majority through the Opposition. The minority party has only seven members and, therefore, cannot sponsor a motion of this magnitude unless they have a backing from the majority who was recently suspended," said Mr Ogosi.