Pandemonium in assembly as ward reps exchange blows

By DOMNICK MITIRO

Kisumu, Kenya: Business at the Kisumu County Assembly stalled on Wednesday when MCAs exchanged blows and traded accusations over the assembly’s order of business.

Speaker Anne Adul was forced to adjourn the sittings after her efforts to restore order failed.

Two order papers whose authors were not identified and with separate Motions had initially been given to MCAs.

The MCAs picked both papers at the sergeant-at-arms desk.

Conflict arose among the MCAs over what business to transact as the order papers indicated different Motions.

 Majority of the ward reps wanted to discuss a Motion on the conduct of the  speaker as contained in one of the order papers while the rest supported a different Motion.

There was tension as all the MCAs stood seeking the attention of the chair.  

The MCAs started hurling insults at each other, with some accusing their colleagues of always siding with the speaker who has allegedly sabotaged various important Motions brought for debate.

“We will not allow you orphans of the assembly to ruin development plans in Kisumu County, ” said Samuel Ong’ow, the majority leader.

 Ong’ow accused speaker Radul and Kaloleni/Shaurimoyo MCA Prisca Auma of being responsible for sabotaging Motions in the assembly.

Minority leader Joel Anayo was also attacked by a section of the MCAs who alleged he was another sycophant of the speaker.

 “You always speak negatively about me in this assembly. Come out here, I beat you so that peace can prevail between us,” Anayo told East Kano/Wawidhi ward representative Moses Ochele.

The speaker, who was not in at the moment suddenly stormed in just moments before the county assembly moved a Motion for adjournment and said that even a Motion against her must pass through her office for approval before it is discussed in the assembly.

“I must be served with any notice of Motion even it if is against me and I must approve it before it can proceed to be discussed in the assembly,” said Radul.

Awasi/Onjiko MCA Fanuel Aim hinted that if the trend continues, they might be forced to impeach the speaker.