Homa Bay Speaker impeached again over misconduct allegations
Homa Bay County Assembly Speaker Elizabeth Ayoo (pictured) has been impeached for the second time.
Members of the County Assembly on Tuesday impeached her over alleged abuse of office, gross misconduct and alleged incompetence among other allegations. Forty nine out of the 60 Ward Reps passed a censure motion against the Speaker on Tuesday during a session presided over by Nominated MCA Kevin Onyango.
Through a motion tabled by Kibiri MCA Michael Odira, the legislators also accused Ayoo of mismanaging Assembly resources. While tabling the ouster motion, Odira argued that the Speaker has been the promoter of division and embarrassment to the Assembly.
“The Speaker, who is a public servant has not demonstrated honesty in her conduct. She has contravened public office ethics Act with regards to the manner in which she conducts her work,” Odira said.
MCAs also claimed Ayoo went overboard and attempted to reconstitute the membership of the Assembly Service Board without their knowledge. On incompetency claims, they blamed the Speaker for nullifying certain decisions passed by the House and those of the Service Board.
“A public officer should not engage in activities and conduct that are seen to personally benefit them,” Odira said
Relationship between Ayoo and the MCAs has seemingly been frosty since her first impeachment was overturned by the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu.
In some occasions, MCAs have engaged in physical fights as some accuse the speaker of failure to provide required leadership.
Following the impeachment, deputy Speaker Elias Orondo is expected to take over as the acting speaker for the remainder of the period
until a new Speaker will be elected.
Ayoo returned to the office following a court injunction after the first ouster.