Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Political tensions have escalated once again in the Nyamira County Assembly after Speaker Thaddeus Nyabaro expelled ten nominated Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and suspended three elected ones for prolonged absenteeism and defiance of official procedures.

The disciplinary action followed a report from the Powers and Privileges Committee, chaired by Bonyamatuta Ward MCA Julius Matwere.

The report found that the affected MCAs violated the Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, by skipping eight consecutive gazetted sittings of the official county assembly.

In a ruling delivered on Monday, July 7, Speaker Nyabaro announced that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) would be formally notified to declare the seats vacant, paving the way for the process of filling the positions.

“This is in accordance with the law. Once IEBC is informed, the process of filling the positions will begin,” Nyabaro said while issuing the ruling.

The disciplinary process was sparked by the continued operation of parallel county assembly sessions dubbed Bunge Mashinani, conducted outside the official assembly chambers by the faction aligned to former Speaker Enock Okero.

For over eight months, the expelled and suspended MCAs held alternative sittings, challenging the authority of Speaker Nyabaro, who continued to lead official proceedings within the Assembly building.

Three weeks ago, the High Court in Bomet ruled the Bunge Mashinani sessions illegal and affirmed the legitimacy of the Nyabaro-led faction.

The court further ordered that those who took part in the outlawed forum refund any public funds used in those sittings.

The expelled MCAs include Janerose Nyakundi (ODM), Rigoma Ward MCA and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairman Nyambega Gisesa, Jeriah Nyakangi (UPA), Joel Ombongi, Zipporah Matundura (Wiper), Ednah Obara (UPA), Elijah Abere (UPA), Beatrice Onyancha (UPA), Lydia Bosire, and Martha Marua (ANC).

Meanwhile, three elected MCAs were suspended from attending future sittings for varying durations: Abel Mose (Magwagwa) for 10 sittings, Lameck Sikweya (Itibo Ward), and Joel Ombingi (Bokeira) for 16 sittings each.

Despite the court’s ruling, Okero’s group appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal in Nakuru. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on July 23.

The latest fallout signalled an ongoing power struggle within Nyamira's political landscape, one that continues to shape the future of the County Assembly’s leadership and legislative function.

In other news, nine Machakos MCAs were suspended for eight sittings after allegedly orchestrating chaos that halted proceedings and left property damaged.

The confrontation erupted as Speaker Ann Kiusya attempted to announce changes in assembly leadership, prompting immediate disruption from several members.

The speaker was reportedly locked in her office for hours as tensions flared, forcing the suspension of the affected MCAs for breach of privilege.

Source: TUKO.co.ke