Turkana governor urges MCAs to back embattled Speaker

Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai (centre) speaks during a past presser. [File, Standard]

Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has called on Members of the County Assembly to rally behind Speaker Christopher Nakuleu.

Addressing MCAs at a hotel in Lodwar, Mr Lomorukai expressed reservation about a suit filed by two candidates for Speaker post contesting the election of Mr Nakuleu.

The High Court declared the decision by the assembly Clerk Linus Miiinyan Lokawa to lock out the two candidates from the Speaker race unconstitutional.

On September 20, the Clerk declared Nakuleu elected Speaker unopposed after five candidates were disqualified from the race for failing to meet the requirements.

The High Court sitting in Lodwar quashed Mr Lokawa's decision to lock out the candidates and ordered fresh election for assembly Speaker.

However, the Clerk appealed the court decision.

Nakuleu who is the former Turkana North MP and UDA party member lost his seat to ODM's Paul Nabuin.

But the governor who was elected on ODM party ticket has since called on the UDA MCAs who are the majority in the House to support Nakuleu.

"I ask you MCAs to unite and support the election bid for the Speaker. We respect the decision of the court but let that not divide us as we front the Turkana community development agenda. Even those that have taken us to court are our people," Lomorukai said.

He expressed concern that fresh election for assembly Speaker will spark partisan politics and divide the House which could affect service delivery to the people.

Lomorukai said the assembly had already vetted and approved part of his Cabinet and holding fresh elections for assembly Speaker will be costly and have a negative effect on the county's operations.

"We will find a solution for the case and I will engage with President William Ruto to ask him to employ professionals from Turkana. The Speaker and I have agreed to work together in pursuit of unity in the House. We are not ready to go back to things which will disorient the good things we have done," he said.