VIDEO: Chaotic scenes in assembly as Nyamira MCAs wrestle

Nyamira Assembly MCAs exchange blows and kicks April 13 following protests. [Photo: Stanley Ongwae, Standard.]

Nyamira County Assembly was yesterday turned into a boxing ring when ward representatives exchanged blows after failing to agree on the House business.

Shouts and whistle sounds rent the air as chaos unfolded on the floor of the assembly.

The Members of County Assembly (MCAs) had differed on the order of business to be debated, with some feeling that there was no transparency on certain issues.

Bomwagamo Ward Rep Charles Barongo protested that the day’s Order Paper was not circulated in time, yet it contained contentious issues which had caused divisions among them last week.

According to Barongo, the paper should have been circulated to the MCAs six hours to the sessions, but this was not done. 

“The Order Paper contained the business of debating on a nominee for the Executive whom there have been claims is being extorted by a committee. This is against Governor Amos Nyaribo’s will... he wants the name revoked and another nominee vetted,” Barongo said.

But Majority Leader Duke Masira said the paper was circulated early enough and dismissed the claims of extortion. “We do our business expeditiously and we are not in the business of extortion,” he noted

The selection of the nominee is part of the contentions that have seen the assembly divided down the middle, with the side resisting the nominee being 16 MCAs and those in support 21.

Previously, the ward reps differed on the nomination of Dr James Gesami as Nyaribo’s deputy, leading to the majority side shooting down the nomination.

Recently, the House’s Selection Committee reconstituted the powerful committee of Public Investment and that of Budget and Appropriations, with those in the minority side being left out in the new composition.

Last week, attempts by the House Business Committee to present the name of the nominee, Cliff Ogwara, were thwarted by similar protests, prompting the leadership to alter the Business Order. The assembly was adjourned without any work done. The same was repeated yesterday but the minority MCAs revolted and resorted to chaos.

Trouble started shortly after the House convened with some MCAs shouting when Speaker Moffat Teya spelt out the business of the House.

Some members who are designated to occupy the public gallery jumped over the barrier separating it from the chambers and went to the floor to grab the mace.

Sergeant at Arms Orderlies had a rough time shielding the speaker as he was guided away to safety with irate MCAs wanting to confront him. Nyamaiya MCA Raban Masira squared it out with his Rigoma counterpart Benson Sironga, while Ekerenyo MCA Thadeous Nyabaro showcased his karate skills with Gesima’s Charles Maroko. Chaos reigned as the other ward reps shouted and blew whistles.

The scuffle was the fourth one in a row with the House seemingly becoming ungovernable.

Addressing journalists last week, Teya said the chaos was part of venting by MCAs dissatisfied with how issues were being handled.

“MCAs are politicians and they are representing their people. When they disagree it means they are expressing the interests of their people. Let them express themselves as we look for a middle ground,” Teya said.