The swearing-in ceremony of all Members of County Assembly (MCAs) in Isiolo county has taken place successfully despite efforts by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party supporters and leaders to stop Mbuthia Waruguru from being sworn in to represent the marginalised in the county assembly.

The ceremony, which was presided over by the Assembly clerk Saladi Boru, had 18 county lawmakers sworn in where 10 of them are elected members while the remaining 8 were nominated by their respective political parties.

The swearing-in took place under heightened security following protests by a group of UDA supporters who had camped outside Isiolo county assembly’s gate seeking to stop swearing in of Mbuthia Waruguru who is believed to be a resident and a registered voter of Laikipia county.

Waruguru had been nominated by the UDA party to represent the marginalised which according to the protesting supporters is unfair because for them the said MCA comes from a majority community and therefore had to push in order to have “their own” nominated instead of him.

The MCAs who came accompanied by their family members immediately assumed their House duties by voting for the Speaker of the County Assembly.

The Speaker’s ballot had four candidates. However, one Abdula Diva Agelle had written to the clerk seeking to withdraw his candidature.

Mohammed Roba Koto garnered 18 votes having been voted overwhelmingly by all the MCAs.

After his election and taking the oath of office, the new Speaker presided over the election of the Deputy Speaker who was automatically declared the winner after his competitor withdrew from the race.

David Lemantile is now Isiolo county’s Deputy Speaker.