Four counties pass NASA vote on People’s Assembly

Four county assemblies have already passed the National Super Alliance (NASA) motion that seeks to nullify the repeat presidential elections.

The development comes even as coastal counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River and Taita Taveta are set to debate the motion next week.

Siaya, Homa Bay, Vihiga and Busia county assemblies on Thursday debated and passed the seven-point motion that will give room for a National People’s Assembly convention in two weeks.

The formation of the People’s Assembly is part of NASA’s multi-pronged strategy to stop President Uhuru Kenyatta from ruling after he won the October 26 repeat presidential election, whose outcome the Opposition has dismissed as a sham.

Fresh polls

At the Siaya County Assembly, the motion was quickly passed after it was moved by Majority Chief Whip Johaness Andiego and seconded by Usonga MCA Sylvester Madialo.

The motion was then presented to Governor Cornell Rasanga who is set to sign it into law. NASA co-principal Musalia Mudavadi’s home county of Vihiga was next to pass the motion that also seeks to have a fresh presidential election in February 2018.

The motion was approved on Thursday evening in an event attended by Vihiga Governor Wilbur Ottichilo, Siaya Senator James Orengo, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala and former senators Johnstone Muthama (Machakos) and Boni Khalwale (Kakamega). Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi, Mathare’s Anthony Oluoch and former Nairobi governor aspirant Miguna Miguna were also in attendance.

Assembly Leader of Majority Wycliffe Masini said motion aims at correcting mistakes committed by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). “This is a great day for the people of Vihiga. We are all aware that IEBC conducted illegal and undemocratic presidential elections,” said Mr Masini. In Homa Bay, the debate was emotive as MCAs took the chance to discuss historical injustices and frequent arrests and torture of Kenyan fishermen by Ugandan policemen.

The motion was quickly passed, with members saying it will give them the freedom and legal leeway to chart their own political destiny.

“The constitution stipulates that the sovereign power belongs to the people. The powers will be exercised well only if we form the People’s Assembly in this county,” said Deputy Majority Leader Ruth Ombura when she tabled the motion.

It was seconded by Chief Whip Sophie Salim.

Short recess

At the Busia County Assembly, Deputy Leader of Majority Moses Ochieng’ termed the motion the best thing to happen to Kenya since independence.

“The voice of the people was circumvented by the electoral commission. The passing of this motion is just but the beginning of the struggle for the second liberation in this country,” said Nominated MCA Patrick Obongoya. Other Opposition dominated county assemblies set to debate and pass the motion include Nyamira and Kisumu, where lobbying has intensified.

Yesterday, the Leader of Majority at the Kisumu County Assembly, Kennedy Onyango, and Chief Whip Gard Olima said the motion will be tabled when the assembly resumes sittings next week after a short recess.

[Reports by Ignatius Odanga, James Omoro, Dalton Obundi, Eric Lungai, Isaiah Gwengi]

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