Migori Speaker Likowa’s woes far from over as position is declared vacant

The woes bedevilling Migori County Assembly Speaker Charles Owino Likowa appear have escalated following a move by its  Clerk to declare the position vacant.

In an advertisement in one of the local dailies, Assembly Clerk Vincencia Kioge called on potential applicants to fill the vacancy ahead of fresh elections scheduled for May 28,2024.

 “Notice is given that pursuant to the resolution made on 23rd April by Members of the County Assembly in exercising their rights under Section 11(C) of the County Government Act 2012, a sitting of the assembly shall be held on the 28th May at the assembly chambers starting from 9am,” reads the notice in part.

“At that sitting, the speaker of Migori County assembly will be elected in accordance with Article 178 of the constitution of Kenya 2010” the notice further read.

The succession race has so far attracted over 10 contenders who include former Suna West MP Joseph Ndiege, Nairobi based Lawyer Francis Ndar, former Migori Assembly speaker Boaz Okoth, Migori based Clergy Walter Ogwada, County Water and Energy executive Christopher Rusana and his former Finance and Economic Planning counterpart Tom Kasera.

Others are Migori Municipality chair Mandela Omondi, Former Environmnet executive Eliabeth Ochae, Former Deputy speaker George Omamba, Nairobi Businessman Peter Jobando and Isaac Aluochier who trampled the infamous Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) at the supreme court

The announcement by the clerk came barely a week after Likowa made frantic efforts to have the MCAs decision to send him packing quashed at the employment and Labour relations court in Kisumu.

He had sought the court’s directive seeking to stop the Assembly from electing substantive Speaker until his case is heard and determined.

Justice Stephen Radido directed that the Motion and Petition dated April 30, 2024 be served forthwith and in any case not later than May 3, 2024.

He directed the respondents to file and serve responses within seven days of service while calling for inter partes hearing of the Motion on May 13.

 Radido restrained the County Assembly from electing a new speaker to replace Likowa. The ruling however did not stop the assembly from electing an acting speaker.

He had sought to challenge the events of the assembly session convened on Tuesday April 23 that unanimously agreed to oust him as speaker with all the 59 MCAs present appending their signatures to send him home.

The MCAs accused him of mismanagement of House affairs and members’ welfare, poor working conditions, and a lack of accountability.

The ouster motion was tabled by Kaler Ward MCA Thomas Akungo and received backing of the full house.

They had accused Likowa of “carelessly handling House affairs”, prompting them to act before things got out of hand. “It’s shocking to us. We have tried complaining on serious matters in the House, but the speaker did not listen to us. Our speaker decided to avoid issues of concern and even abandoned his major duties. His being a public office, we thought it was time we oust him and find someone who is ready to work with the assembly and the executive to serve the people of Migori,” he told the press moments after the impeachment.

He was immediately replaced by his Deputy Mathews Chacha on an acting capacity.