Migori County Speaker Boaz Okoth addresses the media in Kisumu on September 5, 2020. He claimed that his life is in danger after goons attacked him. [Collins Oduor, Standard]
Migori County Assembly Speaker Boaz Okoth has now claimed his life is in danger after unknown people attacked him in his Kisumu house yesterday for allegedly hosting MCAs for a meeting.
The developments came as pressure continue to mount over an attempt by ODM to have Governor Okoth Obado impeached over graft charges.
The attack on the Speaker is a fresh ugly twist to the controversy which has created a wave of tension in Migori County over fears of violence prompting some wards reps to flee the county.
On Friday night, unknown people stormed a house the speaker is residing in but were repelled by his security as the speaker escaped using a different gate.
A visibly shaken Okoth claimed he has now become a target in the controversies and accused some senior ODM officials including Secretary General Edwin Sifuna of being behind the attack.
He reported the matter at Kisumu Police Station under OB number 99/4/09/2020 and alleged that threats and intimidations have now taken centre stage.
Muhuru MCA Hevron Mahira has also since reported threats on his life in Kisumu while other MCAs have fled the county.
“I was attacked around 11 pm on Friday night by people shouting that I was hosting MCAs for a meeting at my house. My life is in danger because of the things that are currently happening,” said Okoth.
He claimed he was with his family at the time of the attack and was about to go to bed when the assailants struck and forced their way into his compound.
He claimed the attackers were in three vehicles which sped off afterwards.
Sifuna has however dismissed Okoth’s claims as “rubbish” and “sideshows”.
“I am in Bungoma and I did not attack him. The speaker should stop sideshows,” said Sifuna.
According to Okoth however, his position as the Speaker of the County Assembly has now put his life on the line even as he expressed concerns that MCAs are also receiving threats from several quarters.
“I do not understand why anyone should come for me. I am just a speaker who is just a referee in the House. I have nothing to do with that debate at all,” said Okoth.
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According to the Speaker, external interference with the assembly’s operations was threatening the peace and unity MCAs have enjoyed in their term in office.
Although the motion to impeach Obado is yet to be brought to the assembly, Okoth said that the matter will be tabled to the House for debate, adding that the MCAs are mature.
“The motion must come from a member and there will be nothing Orange or ODM about it,” he said.
Questions, however, remain whether the motion will see the light of the day with claims that the County Assembly has been singing the tune of the County Executive taking centre stage.
In the recent past, activists have faulted the Assembly of failing in its oversight role and turning a blind eye to claims of corruption in the county.
Yesterday, however, Okoth claimed that the assembly has been diligently played their oversight role on Obado’s administration and defended the MCAs as dedicated in the House.
“There is a lot of external interference. There are threats everywhere and that is unnecessary,” said Okoth.
He claimed that he has been in Kisumu for the last five months because he has been unwell but said he would travel back to Migori to chair the Tuesday session.
Several MCAs told The Standard that they are also fearing for their lives after receiving threats from both camps with a number of them claiming that they have already fled the County.