Uproar as debate to sack Speaker is put off

By ERIC WAINAINA

Kiambu, Kenya: An attempt by the Kiambu County Assembly to impeach the Speaker Nick Ndichu suffered a setback after the Deputy Speaker ruled the House was not properly constituted to proceed with the Motion.

Deputy Speaker Anthony Macharia ruled that in order for the assembly to debate and vote on the Motion, at least 75 per cent of the members, including nominated members, must be present.

Thirty two nominated members are yet to be sworn in.

When Macharia asked the Sergeant-at-Arms to take away the mace signifying closure of the day’s business, a physical confrontation ensued on the floor of the House.

The MCAs were angered because the Deputy Speaker declined to give the floor to members who rose on a point of information to contest the ruling.

Limuru Ward Representative Njenga Murugami claimed he was slapped by his Kiambu counterpart James Njenga in the ensuing melee.

The confrontation extended outside the Chambers with members chanting “the Speaker must go… the Speaker is fired.”

The Motion to remove the Speaker  was tabled by Kikuyu Township member Binary Wainaina and was to be debated yesterday.

Gitothua Ward Representative Chege Wanjiru sought clarification on how many members should vote for the Motion.

Mr Macharia ruled that the House cannot debate and vote on the Motion until nominated members are sworn in.

Macharia quoted the Standing Orders which states that to sack the Speaker all members (including the nominated) should be in the House.

“Seventy five per cent of all members should be in the House. Kiambu assembly is not properly constituted because 32 nominated members are not in and therefore this Motion cannot go on,” he ruled.

But members trashed the ruling, saying if indeed the House lacked quorum as claimed, then the Speaker is in the office illegally since nominated members were not present when he was elected.

Karungo wa Thangwa from Ngewa ward said: “We voted for the Speaker without the nominated MCAs and we wanted to eject him as we were then.”

Members wanted to sack Ndichu, who prior to his appointment was Governor William Kabogo’s lawyer, for among other things, allegations of partisanship, harassment of assembly staff and failing to involve members in the assembly affairs.

Mburuti Kinuthia from Komothai said even though their plot was blocked, they will not allow the Speaker to do any business in the House.

If the Motion goes through, Ndichu will be the first Speaker to be shown the door in the new devolved system. According to Standing Orders, a notice for a motion to remove the Speaker shall be given in writing to the clerk of the County Assembly and should be signed by at least a third of members.

The notice should also state the grounds for wanting to impeach the Speaker.