Embattled speaker misses county assembly proceedings despite court order

Homa Bay County Assembly Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo (in black suit) during the swearing-in at the county assembly. [James Omoro/Standard]

Embattled Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo did not attend the official opening of the county assembly despite securing a court order.

Last Thursday, the Employment and Labour Relations Court extended Ms Ayoo’s stay order, allowing her to continue serving as speaker until the case she filed to challenge her impeachment was concluded.

Ayoo has never presided over the assembly's proceedings since she was impeached on November 1 last year despite the court order.

The opening of the assembly was presided over by Acting Speaker Evans Marieba.

Mr Marieba and Majority Leader Walter Muok told The Standard the assembly business would go on as usual even in Ayoo’s absence.

“All we know is that she has a court order and that is why we have not elected a substantive speaker,” said Marieba.

Mr Muok presented 32 names of members of the House Business Committee.

Since Ayoo’s impeachment, MCAs have been split into those supporting her and those against her. Most MCAs allied to the speaker have not been attending assembly sittings regularly since she was impeached. But yesterday all the MCAs were present.