Migori County Assembly Speaker Gordon Ogolla addresses members of the public who gathered outside the Assembly compound to await the aftermath of the impeachment motion that was to be tabled on grounds that he and the House Clerk Patrick Wakine embezzled Assembly funds. The motion failed to be tabled after MCAs withdrew it. Photo: Stanley Ongwae

Migori County Speaker Gordon Ogolla (pictured) has been forced to step aside to pave way for investigations into alleged embezzlement of Sh12 million.

The County Service Board, which he also chairs, was also dissolved with some members of the assembly sent packing as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission commenced investigations.

Mr Ogolla said the actions by the MCAs was politically motivated and cited his ambition to vie for the county Senate seat as the reason for his woes. He maintained his innocence.

“The entire issue is just a sideshow being propagated by malice and political witch-hunt, which will be countered appropriately, because at the end, the truth will be known,” he said.

The Leader of Majority Richard Solo and his minority counterpart Charles Nyangi were also forced to step aside over the scandal to pave way for investigations, which were recommended by the Public Investments and Accounts Committee.

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The lost Sh12 million is said to have been used in a corrupt and dubious manner.

Addressing the Press after the afternoon session, Deputy Speaker Boaz Okoth (North Kadem) said the accused will be required to step aside for a period of 60 days when the probe into the scandal will have been concluded.

“The county assembly has resolved that the three should step aside to allow for proper investigations into the scandal that has been the topic of debate for the past one month in the assembly,” he said.

Mr Okoth stressed that the three must give room for investigations to take place to ascertain if they had any role in the loss of the millions of shillings.

South Sakwa MCA Jared Osawa, who is also a member of the Accounts committee, said the assembly came up with the resolution that the Speaker and his board members be made to shed light on the matter.

North Kanyamkago Ward Representative George Omamba said it was prudent for the officials to obey the order to step aside and help in investigations, as he condemned the chaos that marred debate on the committee report that recommended that the board takes responsibility over the lost money.