Nakuru County Assembly sittings were on Wednesday September 25, 2024 suspended indefinitely following chaos and disorder among UDA members.
In a notice of communication to members, Speaker Joel Karuri Maina attributed the move to the recent past days where plenary sittings degenerated into regrettable disorder and chaos.
The Speaker noted that, “this is happening despite the existence of express provisions of our Standing Orders that govern how members should conduct themselves during House Proceedings.”
This even as the Speaker added that a section of members on Wednesday September 25, 2024 decided to disregard the Constitution legal statutes and standing orders, instead resorted to courting anarchy inside the dignified House.
According to the notice, the County Assembly of Nakuru sittings stand suspended until a date that the Speaker shall make a communication.
“Based on this continuous disregard to our Standing Orders, an afront to the Constitution, statutes and lack of respect to the Authority the seat of the Speaker, I once again wish to invoke the provisions of standing order 110 and adjourn this House forthwith to a date to be communicated,” stated Speaker.
However, the move has seen uproar among Members of County Assembly from Minority Wing.
Addressing Journalists, the MCAs led by Minority Leader Philip Wanjohi regretted that Members of UDA were messing up the Assembly causing chaos in the Assembly.
He called on UDA MCAs to stick to what brought them to the House; Legislation, Oversight and representation and stop sideshows that are derailing the dignity of the Assembly.
“As Minority we regret the incidents where our colleagues from UDA are out to mess up this House. We want to urge them to put their house in order so that we can embark on what the people expect us to do. The electorates are not interested in the fights and dramas but they are in services,” stated the Minority Leader.
Sentiments echoed by ODM’s Nominated MCA Keziah Okumu who also doubles up as Deputy Minority Leader.
She pointed that the UDA members have continued to derail the House effort in ensuring service to the electorates.
“We are telling our colleagues in UDA to correct their issues or they cross over and join us the Minority,” stated MCA Keziah.
Flamingo Ward MCA David Muraya who was elected on Independent Candidature also weighed in to the matter that saw the Speaker adjourn the Assembly.
Muraya said they will not tolerate the majority members to mess up the House.
He noted that numerous motions have been derailed due to their inhouse party wrangles.
MCA Muraya also warned the UDA MCAs from discussing issues claiming that the County Houses shall be demolished.
He added that, issues that touch on County Houses should have propaganda in the same.
According to Muraya, no county houses shall be demolished as that was the last assurance that Governor Susan Kihika gave during a meeting at Kamukunji.
“Let UDA colleagues not derail development because of their own interests. They should also stop discussion around county houses for this is an issue that as elected leader of Flamingo I understand and we go by the last assurance by Governor that no house shall be demolished and that is the position. Those with propaganda should keep off,” he said.
Sentiments echoed by his Kivumbini Ward counterpart Neto Sakwa who was also elected on Independent Candidature.
MCA Sakwa noted that the issue around majority leadership in the Assembly has continued to interfere with the house Business.
He maintained that the Courts reinstated Alex Langat as Majority leader and that is the position.
On the propaganda going round that county houses will be demolished, MCA Sakwa made clear that those are spearheaded by individuals who are out to enrich themselves and have no interests of the electorates.
He urged the electorates to listen to the elected leaders adding that as area MCA they have had several meetings with County Executive and the position remains the county houses will not be demolished.
“We want to state here that as leaders in the Minority wing, we know the issue of Majority was sorted when the Court reinstated Alex Langat. On the issue of County Houses, I want to make it clear that no house will be demolished in Kivumbini or Flamingo, Bondeni. As leaders we continue to fight for the welfare of our people,” he stated.
On his part Elburgon MCA Njuguna Mwaura(Independent) noted that Alex Langat remains the Majority leader as per the court order.
He called on the UDA faction to have a sitting and come to amicable understanding.
“If UDA members feel they have no mechanisms to solve conflict, let them come borrow from minority. We are also warning the members of public to be careful moving forward in making decisions,” he said.
