Amani party cracks whip on errant MCAs, suspends assembly whip

Leader of Minority at the Kakamega County Assembly David Ndakwa during interview with the Standard. [Benjamin Sakwa/Standard]

Amani National Congress (ANC) has moved in to end a rebellion against its county assembly minority leader.

Ward representatives drawn from the party had attempted to oust Leader of Minority David Ndakwa (pictured) and Chief Whip Godfrey Ondiro.

On Wednesday, the ward reps halted House Business and stayed away from the chambers, forcing the sitting to be adjourned due to lack of quorum.

To stem infighting at the assembly, ANC has now suspended Jackline Okanya (nominated) said to have authored a letter sent to the Speaker stating that the ward reps had made changes in minority leadership.

In a letter dated March 20, and signed by the party’s secretary general Barack Muluka, the nominated ward rep was suspended for 30 days.

The letter has been copied to the County Assembly Speaker Morris Buluma and the County Public Service Board.

Disruptive activities

In the letter, ANC accuses Ms Okanya of disrupting party activities at the Assembly despite being warned.

“It has since come to our attention that you have not refrained from your chosen path of misconduct contrary to Article 50 of the party’s constitution. Within the next 30 days you will be summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee and an appropriate action taken,” read the suspension letter.

“In line with the party’s code of conduct and disciplinary regulations, you (Jackline Okanya) are hereby suspended from Amani National Congress (ANC) with immediate effect and during this period, you will not conduct any business on behalf of the party.”

Okanya will not enjoy any privileges as a party member and as a nominated ward rep until the suspension is lifted.

But in a rejoinder, Okanya dismissed Muluka’s letter as malicious.

“I have seen the letter circulating on social media and I have not been served. Why are they targeting me alone and yet my letter has signatures of fellow ward reps who approved the changes at the assembly affecting minority leadership?” said Okanya.

Okanya said she would continue discharging her duties as a nominated ward rep since the suspension was from the party and not from the assembly.

The minority leader maintained that he was still in office after the party quashed what he described as a coup against him.

“They have been sabotaging me. This is the third time they are trying to oust me, but I have remained strong and will ensure party affairs at the assembly are not disrupted," said Mr Ndakwa.