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Three Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) in Kisii were yesterday injured after security officers confronted them  as they prepared to hold a session amid a standoff over the impeachment of the Speaker David Kombo.

The trio, James Anunda (Masimba), Amos Onderi (Bokimonge) and Margaret Atina (Nominated) suffered injuries and were treated at the Oasis Health Specialist Hospital.

Paul Angwenyi (Sensi) said they were planning to conduct elections for the Speaker when police raided the assembly and lobbed teargas canisters, dispersed and injured their colleagues.

Speaking at the hospital, Angwenyi alleged that a police officer told them he was under instructions to beat them up.

“I urge the Interior and Coordination Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i to order police officers to stop interfering with public institutions mandated to serve the people,” said Angwenyi.

He said the MCAs wanted to discuss the budget but the mace was not available, making it impossible to hold the session.

Speaker impeached

MCA Samwel Onuko, who had presided over Kombo’s impeachment, maintained that the status quo remained as the Speaker was impeached by 47 MCAs against 21. 

“The Speaker was impeached and the situation remains the same,” Onuko, the Boochi Borabu Ward Rep, told the press at the hospital.

Deputy Speaker Davins Onuso accused Kombo of frustrating the work of the ward representatives.

But in a rejoinder, Minority Chief Whip Zablon Mokua said the Speaker had obtained orders restraining MCAs from impeaching him, which had also nullified his degazzetment.

He said orders given by Justice Roselyne Ougo were in force unless they were appealed against, agreed by consent or set aside by the court.

“Kombo is the substantive speaker of the Kisii County Assembly. Any purported election of a new speaker cannot hold water,” Mokua told the press at Kisii Sports Club.

Mokua, the Bassi Central Ward Rep, said the Constitution advocates negotiation as an alternative mechanism to resolve matters to avoid costly and prolonged court cases.

James Ondari, the deputy Minority Leader, lamented that the stand-off over Kombo’s impeachment had affected the MCAs work.

“We have not reviewed last year’s budget. We are wasting time and it will affect us and the budget process for 2021/22,” Ondari said.

He urged MCAs who are against the Speaker to stop dragging the name of Matiang’i and Governor James Ongwae into the matter, saying they have nothing to do with the wrangles at the assembly. 

The chairman of the assembly’s Welfare Committee Kefa Mogaka, supported Ondari’s sentiments, saying the Speaker had a right to defend himself and security officers were maintaining law and order at the Assembly.