Court bars nominees’ swearing-in

By Naftal Makori  and Nick Oluoch

The swearing-in of nominated county representatives in Nyamira County was stopped yesterday after a voter obtained a court order.

The swearing-in had flopped for three consecutive days as elected county representatives boycotted the assembly, leading to lack of quorum.

At least 19 nominees had turned up for the swearing-in which was stopped by Speaker Peter King’oin when  Interim Clerk Pheobe Buchunju announced that she had received a court order blocking the exercise until the case is determined on August 5.

Mr Thomas Mageto Bosire, a voter, filed the petition at the High Court in Kisii under a certificate of urgency to stop the swearing-in of the 13 nominees.

In his application, Bosire said the  nomination is unconstitutional because it does not meet the required regional representation threshold. He argued that Masaba North district in Kitutu Masaba constituency was left out.

Unconstitutional

Bosire argued the number of the nominees exceeds the required one third because 13 members had been nominated instead of seven.

He also challenged the eligibility of Mr William Atati, who he says is not a youth and a representative of the disabled because he is not deaf or disabled in any way.

Meanwhile, Migori Governor Zachary Obado’s nominees to the county Public Service Board were approved yesterday.

Peterlis Nyatuga from Awendo constituency will chair the board. Mercy Sau Mwakio (Suna West), Jabez Willis Okoth Bunde (Nyatike) Michael Francis Okumu (Suna East), Martin Ogola Dima (Uriri) and Robi Mabanga (Kuria West) were approved as members.

 “We were satisfied with their qualifications as well as the gender requirements,” said House majority leader Johnson Owiro.

“The approval of the members now allows us to move forward to solving problems affecting the county people,” Obado said.