Kajiado MCAs plot to impeach Speaker for taking sides

Kajiado County Assembly Speaker Justus Ngussur takes the oath of office. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

A section of Kajiado County Assembly members are plotting to impeach Speaker Justus Ngussur over alleged gross misconduct.

The Azimio MCAs, led by minority leader Isaak Kiresian, vowed to table a motion of no confidence against Ngussur.

They accuse the Speaker of gross partiality and discrimination between United Democratic Alliance (UDA) members and those who belong to Azimio la Umoja Alliance.

Speaking at a press conference in Kajiado, the MCAs alleged that Ngussur has been denying Azimio MCAs time to air their views or contribute to debates on the floor.

"While presiding over debates in the plenary of the Assembly, the Speaker has habitually and blatantly taken sides and unreasonably denied members of the Azimio coalition time and opportunity to air our views or contribute to debates," they said.

In a statement signed by 16 members, the MCAs said actions by the Speaker go against the time-honoured principle of impartiality while in the house.

The MCAs said the Speaker has also been presiding over UDA members caucus meetings and taking sides by bringing party agendas to be discussed on the floor of the house.

Kiresian said that on February 14, the Speaker presided over a UDA party meeting held in the Assembly in which it was planned that they would walk out on the Governor during his address to the Assembly.

"The walk out came to pass without any intervention by the Speaker as the Governor addressed the Assembly. This is not what would be expected of the Office of the Speaker during such a solemn occasion," he said.

However speaking on phone, Ndalalekutuk MCA, John Loisa, defended Ngussur and accused Governor Joseph Ole Lenku of allowing some Azimio MCAs to control the county bursary fund while denying others.

"We are aware what is happening in our Assembly. The main problem has not been brought by the Speaker, this a war between the two political divides," said Loisa.

He said the UDA side has been pushing the governor to pay up accumulated bills to contractors, but that he has been ignoring their pleas.