Speaker throws out MCA again despite court order

Residents of South East Alego ward demonstrating in Siaya town over the suspension of their representative from the county assembly. [Standard]

A Siaya MCA has been suspended from the County Assembly for the third time despite a High Court order that lifted the earlier suspension.

South East Alego MCA Joseph Mboha was on Wednesday suspended for 28 more days for gross conduct, shortly after court issued the order.

In a letter signed by County Assembly Clerk Eric Ogenga, the MCA was accused of attempting to storm into the assembly precincts in the company of rowdy youths.

He is also accused of jumping over the assembly security wall aided by goons.

“You went further to assault an assembly staff who in the line of his official duty was trying to restrict your disorderly behaviour,” reads the letter.

Mboha was first suspended on May 2 over claims of gross misconduct. The suspension was later lifted temporarily by the High Court after he filed a petition.

The second suspension came on May 7 this year after five petitioners sought to have the MCA removed from office.

On Tuesday, Mboha served the assembly with a court order lifting his suspension. This will be the third suspension the MCA is serving following fallout with his colleagues.

In his communication, the Speaker George Okode said that the assembly received the order on Wednesday morning.

“While shouting at the reception area, the MCA uttered disenchanting words against the speaker and other officers of the assembly. We note that at the point on time, no order had been received at the assembly to confirm the claims,” said the speaker.

The letter further indicated that the matter has been referred to the Assembly Powers and Privileges Committee which shall communicate with the MCA in subsequence.

“Your behaviour went against the provisions of section 26(1) (a) and (b) and section 27 93) (a) and (b) of the Powers and Privilege’s Act, 2017, and defined by provisions of Siaya County Assembly Standing Orders No 112 (1) (a) and (b),” read the suspension letter.