Homa Bay MCAs kick out colleagues from assembly service board

Police were on Tuesday lobbed tear gas to disperse rowdy youths who tried to block Homa Bay MCAs from accessing the county assembly premises to remove colleagues.

The youths did not want MCAs to make changes in the assembly service board membership or to have a quorum.

Homa Bay county assembly has 60 MCAs, 40 elected and 20 nominated.

The changes came after some MCAs accused some members of the board of frustrating staff and using the office for personal gain.

Board members include the house speaker who is the chairperson, the majority and minority leaders, two MCAs and other officials who are not members of the legislative house.

An MCA who sought anonymity said the youths were acting on behalf of some people they wanted to remove from the board.

“They wanted us to lack quorum so they continue being in office. Some of them have misused funds,” the MCA said.

The MCA said police restored calm and eventually they got the requisite number.  

Some of the ejected officials were Central Karachuonyo MCA and Budget Committee chairman Julius Gaya, assembly board members Jeff Ongoro (Kanyaluo ward) and Richard Ogindo (Kwabwai ward).

Ongoro and Ogindo were replaced by South Kabuoch MCA Oscar Abote and his Homa Bay Town East counterpart Juma Awuor after a motion tabled by Kokwanyo Kakelo MCA Dan Were sailed through.

The three removed MCAs did not attend the session.

Were accused the ejected MCAs of failing to put the interest of MCAs and assembly staff at heart.

They were accused of failing to advocate for the welfare of assembly members.

The assembly session was presided over by Gem East MCA and deputy speaker Elias Orondo.

“The board should promote the welfare of MCAs and staff but our representatives don’t do so. The two members at the board are serving their benefit,” Were said.

County Assembly Service Board is a body within the House that is tasked with the responsibility of hiring and firing staff.

It is supposed to look at the welfare of MCAs and staff, especially on remuneration and promotions.

Nominated MCA Edwin Kakach said MCAs have suffered under the leadership of the two ousted members.

“They transferred staff to other departments without considering qualifications as some are fired. They were dictators,” Kakach said.

During the Tuesday sitting, MCAs extended the House calendar to dispense all pending matters.

They will hold sittings until necessary and pending matters are discussed and concluded.

Pending issues include the 2021-2022 budget.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris