Embattled Migori Speaker Owino Likowa quits

Owino Likowa. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

Embattled Migori County Assembly Speaker Owino Likowa has bowed out, paving the way for the election of a new Speaker.

This is after he relaxed conservatory orders that barred the assembly from replacing him.

Likowa had moved to court and challenged his impeachment after which he got the order issued on April 30 by Justice Stephen Radido of the Kisumu Employment and Labour Relations Court.

Likowa told The Standard on phone that the impeachment tag was withdrawn. "I am the Speaker until after the election," he said.

He said it was after a long and deep consideration that he decided to relax his case.

"I belong to this county and the governor is a friend of mine. I considered that and relaxed my case," Likowa said.

He disclosed that he would not vie for the seat again. "They are young and they want young people like them to take the position," Likowa said.

The Speaker was impeached by 59 out of 60 MCAs on April 23. Consequently the assembly replaced Likowa with Deputy Speaker David Chacha in an acting capacity.

However, a court barred Chacha from holding the position forcing the MCAs to pick Kaler ward representative Thomas Akungo as acting Speaker.

This was followed by an advertisement in one of the local dailies for the Speaker's position ahead of elections scheduled for May 28.

"A sitting of the assembly shall be held on May 28 at the chambers starting 9 am where the Speaker will be elected per Article 178 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010," the notice read in part.

The race to replace Likowa has so far attracted eight candidates including former Migori Assembly Speaker Boaz Okoth, Nairobi-based Lawyer Francis Ndar and Migori County Water and Energy Executive Christopher Rusana.

Others are former Finance and Economic Planning CEC Tom Kasera, Migori Municipality chair Mandela Omondi, former Environment Executive Elizabeth Ochae, a Nairobi-based businessman Peter Jobando and activist Isaac Aluochier.