County Gov't Faces Suspension As Assembly Crisis Escalates

County Gov’t Faces Suspension As Assembly Crisis Escalates

Nyamira County could be suspended as two competing factions vie for control of the County Assembly.

On April 9, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka expressed concern about the conflict and advocated for a peaceful conclusion.

“If they don’t agree as adults, the Senate Committee on Devolution may recommend disbanding the county,” Onyonka said during a Citizen TV interview.

On April 8, senators were surprised to hear that Nyamira has two assemblies, each with its own Speaker, sittings, and allowances.

The Senate Devolution Committee met with both factions of the Senate but was unable to resolve the conflict.

Each assembly requests funds from the Controller of Budget and has its own clerk.

This prompted questions about the validity of the procedures and the misuse of public money.

Devolution was well intentioned but it is very few counties working because we have deliberately refused to implement the 2010 Constitution fully for systems to work as they should. https://t.co/iyrLJtX8My
— Senator Richard Onyonka (@RichardOnyonka_) April 9, 2025

Speaker Enock Okero, who was impeached four months ago, now attends meetings at designated areas outside the main assembly.

He said the main assembly was hazardous, and his impeachment is being challenged in court.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Thaddeus Nyabaro heads a competing faction that holds meetings in Nyamira Assembly premises.

The faction argues Okero’s sittings are illegitimate and demands sanctions against him.

Both groups returned to Nyamira without an agreement and continued to have separate sessions.

The Senate committee, commanded by Senator Sheikh Abbass, was unable to broker a truce between the factions.

Senators Okongo Omogeni and Onyonka clashed throughout the session, almost resulting in a violent confrontation.

Margaret Nyakang’o, the Controller of Budget, stated that her office had received letters from both assemblies but was unsure which to process.

She stressed that her office collaborates with the County Finance Executive, not with county assemblies.

“I would like to clarify that my office does not deal directly with County Assemblies regarding fund disbursement,” Nyakang’o said.

“We work with the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Finance, and the assembly’s allocation is included in the overall county disbursement.”

She stated that according to County Finance documents, Okero and Clerk Silvanus Nyamora are recognized.

Senator Omogeni inquired as to how monies could be maintained in order to avoid potential losses caused by the prolonged stalemate.

Nyakang’o stated that her office does not monitor transactions, only budget usage at the voting level.

She stated that each faction must rely on internal auditors and that political disagreements are beyond her jurisdiction.

Okero told the committee that his expulsion began when MCAs voted to impeach Governor Amos Nyaribo.

Twenty-two MCAs endorsed the motion, accusing the Governor of supporting Okero.

Okero stated that a High Court order dated December 16 recognized him as Speaker and had not been vacated.

“There are High Court orders issued on December 16 that preserved me as the Speaker of the Nyamira County Assembly,” he told the committee, adding that these orders have not been overturned.

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He stated that holding sittings in gazetted places was legal and vital for his safety.

Nyabaro argued that an appropriate process was followed in impeaching Okero, accusing him of acting outside of legal bounds.

He stated that official assembly activities, including the use of the mace, occur in Nyamira Town.

Nyabaro alleged that Governor Nyaribo supports the Okero-led side.

Both groups returned to Nyamira and maintained their hardline positions, each insisting on holding Wednesday’s sittings in their respective chambers.

County Gov’t Faces Suspension As Assembly Crisis Escalates

Tags: Nyamira County