Chaos in Nyamira assembly as MCAs eject Speaker

Nyamira County Assembly Speaker Enock Okero when he appeared before the County Public Accounts Committee in Nairobi. [File, Standard]

Chaos erupted in Nyamira county assembly Tuesday after members forcefully ejected Speaker Enock Okero from his seat over allegations of impropriety.

Okero was forced out soon after he walked into the plenary to preside over the day’s business.

The House had embarked on the morning business and the Speaker, had finished the first order of reciting the routine prayer and started reading the day’s business as per the Order Paper when some MCAs interjected.

It was after Okero denied the MCAs a chance to speak that some advanced to his seat and forcefully ejected him.

Bonyamatuta Ward Rep Julius Matwere, who is also a member of the Speaker’s Panel moved and sat on the Speaker’s chair.

Matwere chaired the the morning session and allowed tabling of a motion for the suspension of Okero and two other members of the County Assembly Service Board.

The commotion brought to the fore the strife over the failed impeachment of Governor Amos Nyaribo.

Nyaribo survived after 12 MCAs voted to save him against 22 who were agitating for his ouster.

Tuesday’s removal of the Speaker was supported by the 22 MCAs who wanted Governor Nyaribo removed from office by way of impeachment.

During the fracas, a member of the Speaker’s panel grabbed the Mace and went out with it.

The MCAs forced the Speaker to remove his official gown which they took away.

Okero’s car keys were also confiscated while his official car was driven from the precincts of the House.

The Speaker was injured during the melee that saw rival MCAs exchange blows before normalcy was restored.

Tension remained high at the assembly precincts as the MCAs regrouped and sought way forward on the matters.

Addressing journalists, Matwere said the Speaker remains suspended until claims of  impropriety are addressed.

“The Speaker and two of our representatives to the County Assembly Service Board will remain suspended until such a time when an ad-hoc Committee investigating the issues leveled against complete their work and a reported tabled before the Assembly,” Matwere said.

Matwere said the Deputy Speaker Thadeus Nyabaro of Ekerenyo Ward will take over as the acting Speaker.