By Bryan Tumwa
KAKAMEGA; KENYA: Controversial playwright Cleophas Malala has clinched the seat of Deputy Speaker of Kakamega County Assembly following a close vote in the house Tuesday evening.
27 year- old Malala clinched the position after garnering 26 votes against Isabella Mungasia who managed 23 votes with five members abstaining.
“I am glad that members of the house saw it fit to elect me as their Deputy Speaker and I shall discharge my duties with impartiality. The youth of this county should count this as a victory for them as well,” said Malala.
Ms Mungasia had been fronted by the Majority members of the house but in a series of political manoeuvres and intrigues Malala managed to clinch the position but only barely since the house was split in half on who to vote in.
Mungasia had initially protested at the lack of gender balance in the house but members allied to Malala rebuffed her sentiments saying youth and women were to be treated equally under affirmative action.
Sachiel Ambundo of Butsotso Central Ward asked members not to dwell too much on the elections following controversy sparked by the elections after Mungasia raised objection over the one third rule being ignored.
“The house must move forward because the member is a representative of the youth who should also be given consideration when we are talking about affirmative action. Let us now discharge the duties of the house because we have a huge backlog,” said Ambundo.
Malala, who represents Mahiakalo constituency, was sworn in as the first Deputy Speaker duly elected by a total of fifty-five members of the assembly.
Before joining the house Malala was working as a playwright through a company that he started to author and produce plays in the country.
His latest play authored and directed for Butere Girls High School during the Schools and drama Festivals generated a lot of controversy over national cohesion and integration. It is one of the most talked about theatrical arts productions in the recent past.
Eight House Committees have also been constituted to run the affairs of the assembly. The departmental committees established include childhood Education and vocational training, Agriculture, Selection, Public Accounts, Transport and Public Works; Planning, trade and tourism, health services and Labour and social services.
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