After impeachment woes, Ayoo returns to work but finds office without furniture

Homa Bay County Assembly Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo outside the assembly clerks office last year. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

County Assembly Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo returned to office after the High Court reinstated her did not preside over assembly proceedings.

Ms Ayoo, who was impeached after she differed with MCAs, reported to work on Wednesday morning but could not use her office as there was no furniture.

The furniture was vandalised by unknown people a month ago.

The speaker sat briefly in an office next to that of the clerk and then left. She was alone in the office and could be seen working her lap top.

She declined to speak to journalists and forbid them from photographing her.

“I have no word for journalists today. You can only report what you are able to see here,” Ayoo said.

While she was in the office, Edwin Kakach, a member of the Speaker's Panel, was chairing a committee meeting in the chambers.

Ayoo's deputy, Evans Marieba is away on official duty.

The Speaker has never presided over the assembly's proceedings since she was impeached on November 1 last year.

After her impeachment, she secured a court order, allowing her to continue with her work.

Last week, the Labour Relations Court in Kisumu extended the stay order and directed that she resumes work until her case is heard and determined. The court ordered the assembly's Sergeat-at-Arms to ensure the Speaker does her work without any disruption.

Cyprian Awiti

County residents had expected Ayoo to start presiding over the assembly proceedings.

Meanwhile, Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti has appointed Agriculture Executive Aguko Juma acting Trade, Industry and Co-operatives CEC.

The position fell vacant after Carilus Ademba resigned from the position on Monday. He complained that cartels were impeding implementation of development projects in the county.

Juma will be in the Trade office until the governor appoints a substantive CEC for the docket.

In a press statement, the governor assured residents that delivery of services will go on uninterrupted.

“The governor appreciates Mr Ademba for the services he rendered to the people of Homa Bay in the capacity as a CEC Member,” Awiti said in the statement signed by his Director of Communications  Juma Kaluoch.

On Tuesday, Awiti challenged Ademba to expose his alleged cartels.