Tuja says Taita-Taveta governor wants to control assembly

Trouble is brewing at the County Assembly with a member of the leadership claiming the executive wants absolute control of the House.

Majority Leader Jason Tuja claimed a section of members were in bed with the executive, acting as their puppets to undermine and micro-manage the House.  

Tuja engaged in a shouting match with a section of legislators led by Deputy Speaker Chrispus Tondoo before he stormed out of the House in protest as Speaker Meshack Maganga looked on shocked.

Tuja ganged up with Minority Leader Ronald Sagurani and Mgange Ward Representative Anselim Mwadime to call for adjournment of the debate on the status report on the scrutiny of the County Budget estimates for the 2020/2021 financial year.

The group allied to the Majority leader was, however, defeated by the team comprising Tondoo, the budget assembly chairperson Godwin Kilele and Nominated MCA Christopher Mwanbingu.

Kilele, who had tabled the report, asked members to pass it to avert delay in releasing funds in the next financial year, a move Tuja and his team rejected.

Time to review

“Members should be given time to scrutinise the budget estimates before passing them. We have today and tomorrow to pass the budget; why should we hurry,” Tuja asked the speaker.

The Werugha Ward Rep, who opposed the motion to approve the budget committee report, claimed some MCAs side with the executive to undermine his oversight and legislative roles.

Tuja warned of disciplinary action against MCAs who work with the executive to undermine the House leadership.

“I am the Majority Leader of the House and will not allow a few individuals to undermine us because of their selfish and vested interests. I know a few of us have been compromised and micro-managed by the executive and I will stand firm to defend the constitution.

"I will deal decisively with those undermining the oversight role of the House,” the ODM legislator told the speaker.

Tondoo denied claims MCAs were bribed to pass the budget.

“Nobody has been bribed. We are aware of what is in the budget and let us pass the report,” the Bomeni Ward Rep told the speaker.

Tuja insisted MCAs met with the executive in Mwatate town before the budget report was brought to the House for debate.