Activities at the assembly may stall for the next five days if Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) stand their ground not to allow Finance Executive Paul Otsola to read this year's budget.
Yesterday, the situation nearly turned ugly forcing anti-riot police to step in to calm matters. But the MCAs stood their ground and the speaker ruled that the executive reads the speech the following day (today).
At one time, the rowdy members exchanged blows on the floor of the assembly after some of them tried to force the executive to go ahead with the budget speech.
Last month, the assembly recommended that the executive steps aside to allow corruption investigations against him, involving Sh200 million from the county meant for Mumias Sugar Company (MSC) bailout.
This means that if the stand-off continues until 30th of this month, the Controller of Budget may as well not approve funds to run activities in the county.
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Yesterday, the MCAs accused Mr Otsola of being a 'stranger' and had no authority to address the House.
But Otsola accused them of being dishonest, saying the budget presented in the assembly was drafted and signed by him as the officer in charge of finance.
"We forwarded the budget to the House on April 30, and have been negotiating with the Budget and sector committee chairs, who are MCAs. They even adopted and passed this same budget," he said.
Postpone speech
Otsola said the speaker directed him to read the budget today, after it became apparent that some ward reps were bent on causing chaos.
"I have been advised by the speaker that I read the budget tomorrow. Even if I don't read it, which is ceremonial, the budget has already been adapted by the assembly," he added.
However, MCAs, including Public Accounts Committee chairperson Sindavira Mwanzi (Isukha East), Kelvin Olengo (Namamali), Onesmus Mmasi (Idakho Central) Suleiman Odanga (Mumias Central) and Edward Shibembe (Isukha West), vowed not to allow the executive in the assembly.
"Otsola is a stranger in this House. We resolved to send him home until investigations on dubious payment of public money to a private entity is finalised. If the executive refused to respect House recommendations, then we will also not allow him to address the House," declared Mr Mwanzi.
In the Sh200 million MSC saga, Otsola was accused of violating the resolution of the county assembly by failing to table mechanism for approval, hence acting contrary to Public Finance Management Act.
The MCAs also accused the executive of failure to implement resolutions and holding the assembly in contempt.
"We represent the people of this county so we should not be overlooked," said Mr Olengo.
