Ousted Majority leader vows to stay put

County assembly Leader of Majority Richard Ogindo yesterday insisted he was still in office a week after he was kicked out by his colleagues.

Mr Ogindo said he was still the official leader of majority because the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party had nullified his ouster.

He said the party had written to County Assembly Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo affirming that he was still in office.

“I must comply with instructions of ODM, which has written a letter (saying) I am the majority leader. I am going to court because the party is solving the matter,” he said.

More than 30 MCAs defied the party leadership that had warned against dislodging Ogindo. He was ousted during a session presided over by County Assembly Deputy Speaker Evans Marieba.

The MCAs replaced Ogindo with Kanyadoto MCA Walter Muok.

Olive branch

Homa Bay Central MCA Julius Nyambok took over from nominated MCA Ruth Ombura as Deputy Leader of Majority.

Kakelo Kokwanyo MCA Dan Were was elected as Majority Whip, replacing nominated MCA Sophie Salim. His deputy is Arujo MCA Mary Ojala.

Speaking at Nyandiwa Catholic Church yesterday, Mr Muok said he had extended an olive branch to Ogindo.

“I ask Ogindo to forget the past and move on so that we can work together for development of this county. This is a new dawn of good administration in the county assembly,” he said, and promised to promote consultative leadership.

But ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna reprimanded the MCAs for electing new officials.

“Your actions showed gross misconduct according to the constitution of ODM. You are hereby given notice to show cause in writing within seven days as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against you,” he said in a letter