Migori MCAs replace impeached deputy speaker against court orders

Migori County Assembly deputy speaker and North Kanyamkago MCA George Omamba was dealt a blow after MCAs replaced him despite a court order reinstating him after he was impeached last year.

In what seems to be a move by assembly speaker Boaz Okoth to stamp his authority, Mr Omamba has paid the ultimate price of going against Governor Okoth Obado's administration after he questioned financial dealings at the assembly and the executive.

The MCA, who was stripped of his deputy speaker's post, had sought a court order barring the assembly from impeaching him.

Mr Omamba has been Governor Obado’s ally but fell out with the governor and has been associating with Migori Senator Ochillo Ayacko.

REPLACEMENT

On January 20, Mr Omamba was replaced by Bukira East MCA Mathews Chacha as the deputy speaker after he moved to court to stop his impeachment.

At one point, Mr Omamba had to be whisked away from the assembly after he protested the move in a special sitting which was convened abruptly to vet Migori County public service board members.

His replacement has been seen as an attempt by Speaker Boaz Okoth to stamp his authority after the Assembly's majority leader Roland Asiga resigned a fortnight ago in an impeachment wave.

Prior to his resignation, Mr Asiga had accused the speaker of sabotaging efforts by the assembly to perform its oversight role over the executive which, he alleges, is involved in massive corruption.

2022 POWER MOVES

Mr Asiga is now replaced by South Sakwa MCA Edward Ken, where Senator Ayacko hails from, which is seen as a move to prepare the ground for the 2022 governor elections.

Speaker Boaz and Mr Ayacko have hinted at running for governorship in 2022.

Kachieng’ MCA Brian Osodo was also voted in as a new member of the Speaker’s Panel.

Meanwhile, Migori ODM officials have condemned the Monday impeachment of the deputy speaker, saying no consultations were held before the matter was taken to the assembly.

ODM chairman Phillip Makabong'o and Secretary-General Joseph Olala said the assembly members’ actions could derail efforts by the party to spearhead the BBI agenda.

"As a party, the impeachment got us by surprise; we were never consulted and we have called a stop to the impromptu sitting that made the said adjustments. This is in bad faith and will derail the party's efforts of popularising the Building Bridges Initiative," said Mr Makabong'o in a statement.