Stop disrupting debate in county assemblies

For three days running, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) for Mombasa County have paralysed debate in the House. The altercation has been fueled by attempts to impeach Speaker Thadius Rajwayi over his stewardship of proceedings in the County Assembly which has been criticised in some quarters. Potential candidates for Mombasa governorship have been accused of inciting their supporters to disrupt proceedings in the Assembly. In Meru County, there are reports that less than a third of MCAs are attending House sittings.

This has been attributed to the emergence of two political factions supporting either Governor Peter Munya or his rival Senator Kiraitu Murungi. The Senator is reportedly eyeing the Governor’s seat in next year’s polls, and this has not gone down well with those who support the incumbent. These two scenarios are replicated in many of the country’s 47 county assemblies.

It is unfortunate that some politicians are using their supporters to disrupt proceedings in County Assemblies and in so doing hampering the legislative process. When this happens, implementation of development projects is curtailed and ultimately the ordinary Kenyan in these counties suffers. Disrupting debate in County Assemblies is selfish and uncalled for.