Migori County Speaker Boaz Okoth (centre) flanked by his deputy David Chacha (Right) and MCAs address the press outside the Assembly yesterday. He adjourned House Business for the second time, saying his life is in danger. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]
Migori Governor Okoth Obado is proving to be a hard nut to crack for ODM, with the tabling of his impeachment motion failing to take off for the second time.
Speaker Boaz Okoth adjourned the session, saying his life was in danger.
“Members allow me make a personal statement to go on the hansard that the governor succession politics has permeated the floor of the House,” he said.
Okoth then went ahead to disclose to the House that his security was withdrawn on Tuesday night in unexplained circumstances.
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“Honourable members, last night my security was withdrawn. And one hour later, my home at Nyikendo attacked,” he said.
This, he claimed was the second time he was being attacked. “I am not sure why someone would have an to ill motive on my life. I am innocently discharging my duties,’’ the Speaker said.
He claimed by the time ODM ordered the removal of Obado, the assembly was on recess and he had not received a notification to that effect.
“Why are some people doubting the credibility of this House?” he posed, questioning why ODM was seemingly doubting he could successfully preside over the governor’s removal.
The Speaker told MCAs how he spent the night away from home fearing for his life after midnight raid at his Nyikendo home.
“Immediately my security was withdrawn, thugs raided my house and terrorised my family,” Okoth said.
Sneaked out
The Speaker claimed: “My dogs had to battle the attackers for hours as I sneaked out and fled for my life. I am not sure who is this after my life because of politics.”
The Speaker then asked the Clerk to read the Order Paper, cancelling all the items including the motion of impeachment. He then adjourned the session.
“Pass. Next order? Any message from chair? Pass. Next order? Any matter arising from the floor? Pass. There being no other order, I declare the assembly adjourned to afternoon,” ordered the Speaker.
Immediately after the adjournment, Okoth left for the police station, where he recorded a statement and sought explanation on his body guards’ withdrawal.
He was accompanied by Majority Leader Ken Ouma, sergeant at arms and MCAs allied to him. At the assembly, members retreated to secret meetings. Okoth told Migori MCAs that even if they planned to go ahead with impeachment, they should do so with decorum.
“This is not a House of insults and intimidation. This is a House of honourable members,” said the Speaker.
He criticised bitter exchanges between MCAs in the assembly on Tuesday which led to adjournment. This happened took place when the ward reps were told to sit outside to follow proceedings virtually because of social distancing rules.
Some MCAs claimed it was a ploy to block them from the sitting. Yesterday, all the 57 members were allowed into the assembly after sitting arrangements were adjusted.
Some members who sought anonymity claimed the Speaker was using delaying tactics to water down the impeachment motion.
South Kanyamkago MCA George Omamba said ultimately, the party plans will go on with the plat to have Obado impeached. Majority leader Ken Ouma said the priority was to conclude tabling of bills, which have been pending in the House.
Yesterday, when the assembly reconvened in the afternoon, Speaker Okoth was nowhere. His deputy Mathews Chacha briefly presided over the tense session.
Wiga MCA Albert Odette tabled a motion on Law Enforcement Bill, 2019. The session was, however, adjourned after MCA Mary Odiga rose on appoint of order saying she was told to leave her car by the gate, thus raising alarm as tension continued to build.
The police, however, declined to comment on the threats reported Speaker Okoth.
