Homa Bay: House deputy speaker resigns

Homa Bay County Assembly Deputy Speaker Evans Marieba has resigned.

The Gwassi North MCA wrote to County Assembly clerk Daniel Kaudo and acting Speaker Godfrey Anyango indicating that his resignation was prompted by his ouster as the acting Speaker last week, a post he had held since September 2018 following impeachment of Elizabeth Ayoo.

He was replaced by Mr Anyango in last week’s ouster.

Mr Marieba said he could no longer serve as a deputy speaker since the roles were similar to the ones performed by the acting speaker.

“A deputy speaker’s duties are similar to those of the acting speaker, hence I cannot continue because I am no longer the acting speaker,” Marieba said.

He accused the assembly leadership of perpetrating irregularities by nominating an MCA from a majority party to the position of minority leader.

ODM has 58 of the 60 MCAs in the County Assembly.

The assembly leadership nominated George Okello of ODM (North Kabuoch) as the Minority Leader. Mr Okello replaced John Njira of the Wiper Party (West Karachuonyo).

Peter Asoyo of ODM (West Kaksingri) also replaced the Independent MCA Paul Adika (Lambwe) as the deputy Minority Leader in the latest changes.

The changes caused a row in the assembly.

Former Minority Leader Walter Muok and the ousted MCAs also opposed the move.

“How can you nominate an MCA from a minority party to be a minority leader in the County Assembly? I cannot be part of irregularities,” Marieba said.

His resignation was confirmed by Anyango, who said he had received his letter.

Anyango, however, defended the assembly, saying it had not violated the Constitution.

“The Constitution states that MCAs from minority parties should constitute five per cent of the total MCAs in the assembly in order to have a minority leader from a minority party. But this is not applicable here because we have only one MCA from a minority party,” said Anyango.

Marieba said he would take his time to concentrate in serving Gwassi North Ward residents, besides building his political career in Suba South Constituency.