The Nyamira has made history, with its county assembly splitting into two factions and holding separate sittings.

One group conducts business in the official chambers, while another meets in wards in what it calls “Bunge Mashinani”.

The latest sitting of the Mashinani faction was held in Manga ward, Kitutu Masaba constituency.
The split followed the botched ouster of Speaker Enock Okero.

Okero was impeached by the members of the county assembly (MCAs) last month.
He faced various accusations including abuse of office.

MCAs accused Okero of having a hand in the failed attempt to oust Governor Amos Nyaribo by impeachment.

The impeachment motion was defeated by a margin of one vote, with Okero accused of using his position and proximity to the county government to tilt the outcome at the eleventh hour.

MCAs then installed Okero’s deputy and Ekerenyo Ward Representative Thadius Nyabaro.

Determined not to lose his job, Okero moved to court and obtained an injunction barring his replacement until his case challenging his ouster is heard and decided.

Earlier, there was chaos in Nyamira town, the county headquarters, as supporters of the two factions clashed.

Okero and his supporters had attempted to enter the assembly grounds but were repulsed by the Nyabaro faction.

During the fracas, Okero and Rigoma Ward Rep Nyambega Gisesa narrowly escaped with their lives as they were pelted with stones.

Heavily armed police officers used teargas and fired in the air to scatter the crowds.

Turbulent relationship
Nyamira has 20 elected and 14 nominated MCAs.

The crisis has drawn county workers into the mix, paralysing services further.

There were mixed reactions when photographs emerged showing the Okero faction transacting business in Manga.

Okero was clad in his official Speaker regalia and a mace was placed before him.

Okero has 12 members on his side, while 22 others are dancing to Nyabaro’s tune.

Silvanus Nyamora is acting clerk for the Okero camp, while Nyabaro’s team is served by Duke Onyari in the same capacity.

For the past two weeks, the Nyabaro team has been conducting its business in the official assembly building, with the rest staying away.

Each camp has a mace, the official symbol for transacting assembly business.

Before Okero was impeached, he had been suspended by MCAs on claims of misconduct.
He obtained orders from the High Court in Nyamira restraining MCAs from impeaching him.

But the Nyabaro group defied the order and proceeded to impeach him and elevate Nyabaro to acting Speaker.

The Nyabaro faction also placed an advert in a daily newspaper, declaring the Speaker’s seat vacant and calling for interested applicants to apply.

The ad was declared null and void by the Okero faction.
For ignoring conservatory orders obtained by Okero barring his replacement, seven MCAs in the Nyabaro faction have been accused of contempt of court.

Nyamira Presiding Judge Winfrida Okwany has put the seven ward reps on notice, demanding that they show cause why they should not be committed to civil jail for contempt of court.

Justice Okwany has ordered them to appear in court personally on December 11 to argue their case.
Contacted for comment, Okero maintained that he was still Speaker until his case is determined.

“I’m the substantive Speaker of the assembly. What the other group is doing is illegal because it is against the court order issued,” he told People Daily.

Okero was a stranger in the assembly and has no authority to transact the Nyamira County Assembly’s business, said Magombo Ward Rep Miinda Riechi, who is in the Nyabaro camp.

Under the Constitution, every county is divided into two arms: the executive and the legislature (assembly).

The assembly’s functions include oversight, legislation and representation.
It is not clear how the ongoing impasse in Nyamira will be resolved for the two assembly factions to operate as one.