Nyamira’s West Mugirango MP Steve Mogaka Tuesday insisted that the regional County Assembly Speaker Enock Okero stands sacked following the recent Bomet court.
The Court, he said, had upheld Okero’s earlier impeachment and thus should not be allowed to step into office.
“The court actually upheld the legality of the impeachment process carried out by the county assembly and there should be no shred of doubt that Mr Okero is no longer the speaker,” MP Mogaka told journalists during an interview in his Nairobi office.
Speaker Enock Okero’s removal ,he added, was now final and binding, further urging relevant authorities to preside a smooth transition to one elected by the Ward Representatives.
“The court has spoken, and so has the assembly. The Speaker stands sacked. It’s time for the County Assembly to move forward,” the MP said.
Okero had gone to court to challenge the impeachment arguing that due process was not followed.
He alleged political motivations driven by MP Mogaka and Senator Okongo O’Mogeni in the wrangles racking the assembly.
Both separately denied involvement.
The Bomet court said the assembly had acted within its constitutional mandate and that the impeachment proceedings were properly conducted.
The Assembly has been in the spotlight of protracted political standoff which had seen divisions among MCAs and disruptions in legislative business.
The Ward Representatives are yet to receive their payment since the conflict erupted in September 2004.
The County Assembly has remained embroiled in persistent wrangles following the controversial impeachment of its speaker, plunging the local legislative body into a prolonged state of turmoil.
What began as a heated political disagreement has since evolved into deep-rooted divisions among assembly members, with rival factions accusing each other of misconduct, procedural irregularities, and sabotage of house business.
The contested impeachment, which critics claim was driven more by political rivalry than legal merit, has left the assembly bitterly split, affecting its ability to conduct normal proceedings.
A section of pro-Okero supporters have been holding sessions in Manga and Keroka, far from the assembly premises in Nyamira which have been the centre of violent skirmishes.
At least one person was injured during an arson attempt at the premises.
In an interesting twist, a lawless band is said to had broken into it at night and held an orgy
Used condoms and beer cans were discovered during the incident,three weeks ago.
During a recent presser, MCAs supportive of Okero rubbished the courts ruling upholding the Speaker’s impeachment.
“The impeachment was illegitimate and so is the court ruling purporting that he was impeached,” said Rigoma MCA Nyambega Gisesa.