Likowa in fight to retain speaker post for Migori county
By Ian Byron, May 6, 2024
In the latest move to overturn the assembly’s vote of no confidence, embattled Migori County Assembly speaker Charles Owino Likowa (pictured) is seeking redress from the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
Likowa wants to stop the Assembly from electing substantive Speaker until the case is heard and determined.
Justice Stephen Radido directed that the Motion and Petition dated 30 April 2024 be served forthwith and in any case not later than 3 May 2024.
He directed that the Respondents to file and serve responses within seven days of service while calling for further proceedings/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.
Oust speaker
The Court directive come after Likowa went to court to challenge 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.
Majority leader Ken Ngoro told journalists that the speaker had been “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.