Ward reps 'oust' two leaders of the House

Homa Bay County MCAs address journalists near the entrance of the county assembly premises on August 25, 2018. The MCAs were denied entry by security guards. [James Omoro, Standard]

Ward representatives on Saturday convened a press conference where they claimed to have ejected two senior assembly members.

The 31 members of the county assembly said they had voted to oust Majority Leader Richard Ogindo and his deputy Ruth Ombura.

The two, they said, would be replaced by Kanyadoto MCA Walter Muok and Homa Bay Town Central MCA Julius Nyambok respectively.

The ODM MCAs, who were led by Deputy Speaker Evance Marieba, Dan Were (Kakelo Kokowanyo), Julius Gaya (Central Karachuonyo) and Juma Awuor (Homa Bay Town East), among others, accused Mr Ogindo of demonstrating poor leadership and disrespecting elected leaders in the county.

“We have lacked unity in discharging our oversight role because of Ogindo’s leadership. We have decided to oust him from the position so that Muok takes over,” said Were.

But Ogindo dismissed the ouster and insisted he and his deputy were still in office. He further criticised the impeachment process as unprocedural and unacceptable.

“I am still the majority leader and I am not aware of any ouster. My colleagues followed an undue process,” said Ogindo.

He added: “The disrespect comes about because I stood up against some elected leaders from this county. I cannot allow anybody to dictate to me my roles simply because he is an elected leader."

Mr Marieba said they would serve assembly Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo with official notification that Ogindo had been kicked out.

“We needed a simple majority of the 58 MCAs but we have got 31. We are going to serve the ODM party with the notification after notifying the speaker,” said Marieba.

The MCAs, who spoke outside the assembly premises after being denied entry into the chambers, said the changes take effect from today.