Blows exchanged as Elachi storms back to her office

Nairobi Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi addresses a press conference in her office after returning few months after Members of County Assembly successfully moved a motion to impeach her. She was accompanied by a section of MCAs from both Jubilee and ODM. [Photo: Samson Wire]

Bloodstained floors, broken furniture and gunshots marked the return of Speaker Beatrice Elachi to the Nairobi County Assembly yesterday.

Ms Elachi stormed the assembly precincts yesterday morning and camped at the Speaker's office citing a court order reinstating her after her impeachment in September last year.

Accompanied by Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga and about 13 ward reps allied to Jubilee and Orange Democratic Movement parties, Elachi announced that she was back to stay and dared anyone disgruntled by her return to force her out of the office.

A fistfight began when ward reps supporting acting Speaker Chege Mwaura and Majority Leader Abdi Guyo stormed into Elachi’s office.

Took sides

Ward reps then took sides and the ensuing shouting contest quickly morphed into a fist fight that left behind destroyed furniture and several bruised faces.

Police then lobbed teargas into Elachi's office to end the melee before dozens of unruly youth emerged and joined the fray.

Chanting “Guyo lazima aheshimu Governor Sonko na Speaker Elachi (Guyo must respect Governor Sonko and Speaker Elachi)”, the youths kicked and hit everything and everyone in their path.

They only dispersed after police fired warning shots in the air.

Journalists covering the fracas were caught in the ensuing chaos and scampered for safety amid choking teargas fumes.

Meanwhile, Mr Guyo maintained that Elachi would not be allowed back to the Assembly and that Jubilee Party ward reps only recognised Mr Mwaura as their speaker.

“You are trying to come back through the back door. We will not allow that. How can you, with only six MCAs, try to impose yourself on us,” he posed.

He was supported by Anthony Kiragu (Waithaka), who said ward reps would ensure Elachi was kicked out.

“We still maintain our earlier decision to impeach her and we will make sure she leaves. She cannot represent us,” he said.  

Elachi later walked into the Assembly during the afternoon plenary session as the Speaker, although no business was transacted. Majority of Jubilee-allied ward reps gave the sitting a wide berth.

She then proceeded to her office, where she was welcomed by jubilant supporters.

She said her return had the blessings of Mr Sonko and accused Guyo of using unsavory language against her on the floor of the Assembly.

“We are here to confirm that the court order we received declared me as the Speaker. I have come to deal with only one person, the Majority Leader. He should not use ward reps but face me,” said Elachi.

As the chaos at the assembly unraveled, it emerged that Sonko had submitted the name of Hamza Ward Rep Mark Ndung'u as the proposed new Majority Leader.

In a letter to the County Assembly Speaker dated October 4, Sonko accuses Guyo of undermining the county through intimidation, interference and cajoling of staff. He argues that Guyo was making it difficult to implement Jubilee's manifesto in the county.

However, the Assembly is yet to debate the proposal.